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THE LIFE 

OF 

WALTER L. CAMPBELL 



BY 

MARY R. CAMPBELL 



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NEW YORK 
1917 



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Copyrighted 

BY 

MARY R. CAMPBELL 
1917 



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THIS STORY OF THEIR GRANDFATHER'S LIFE IS DEDICATED 
TO HIS THREE GRANDCHILDREN 

WALTER LOWRIE CAMPBELL 
RACHEL DU BOIS CAMPBELL 
JOHN COERT CAMPBELL 



"Naked on parents' knees, a newborn child, 
Weeping thou sat'st when all about thee smiled: 
So live, that, sinking to thy last long sleep, 
Thou then may'st smile, while all around thee weep." 

Something can be learned of the character of a 
man from his favorite quotations. They give us a 
glimpse of his ideals. Through them we may be able 
to come a little closer to the real meaning of his life. 
A man is remarkable not so much for what he does 
as for what he is. When we see a man who has met 
an almost insuperable obstacle and moved on appar- 
ently unhampered by it; who has encountered one 
disappointment after another and not only has re- 
mained unembittered, but has succeeded in leaving 
behind him a memory of sweetness and fulfilment, 
we wonder how he has accomplished it. These 
pages have to do with the life of such a man. They 
deal more with characteristics than with facts, and 
they are written with the hope that they may give a 
bit of the inspiration of this life to others, encountering 
some of the obstacles strewn along life's highway. 



CONTENTS 



CHAPTER I 



Early Childhood . . . . . 

Birth; Ancestry; Mother; Salem; Accident; Child- 
hood; Friends. 



CHAPTER II 

Schooldays in Columbus . . . -14 

Trip to Columbus; Education of Blind in Fifties; 
Musical Test; Character of School; Extracts from 
Journal; Religious Revival; Alumni Address, 1874 



CHAPTER III 

Youth in Salem ..... 30 

Musical Accomplishments ; Winter in Philadelphia ; 
Life in Salem; Boyle Family; Personal Traits; 
Chess; Death of Pressley; Preparation for College ; 
Recollections of Mrs. Firestone, Miss Bamaby, 
Dr. Mendenhall. 



CHAPTER IV 

College Years 55 

Entrance to College; Extracts from Catalogue; 
Influences and Influence; Recreations; Honors. 



viii CONTENTS 

CHAPTER V 

PAGE 

A Winter in Cambridge .... 64 

Lake Trip; Brothers; Enters Harvard Law School; 
Theophilus Parsons; Religious Life; Letters from 
J. A. Campbell and Professor Parsons; Testi- 
monial of Law School Professors. 

CHAPTER VI 

Cheyenne 79 

Conditions in Cheyenne; Partnership with J. Loring 
Brooke; U. S. Commissioner; Aid to Legislature; 
Petitions of Legislators; Replies of Governor 
Campbell and W. L. Campbell; Letters to Boyle 
Sisters; Views on Home Missions; Leaves Chey- 
enne. 

CHAPTER VII 

Politics and Journalism .... 97 

Youngstown ; Journalism ; Ohio Constitutional Con- 
vention; Policies as Editor; Interest in Finance; 
Court House Removal; Andrews Controversy; 
Winter in Washington; Servis Episode; Silver 
Resolutions; Acquaintance with McKinley; 
Letters from McKinley and Garfield. 

CHAPTER VIII 

Editor's Work . . . . . .125 

Remenyi; Ingersoll; Phillips; O'Connell; Beacons- 
field; Mrs. Livermore's Lecture; Sovereign Law; 
Discouragement with Journalism; The Reformed 
Vindicator; Retires from Journalism. 



CONTENTS ix 

CHAPTER IX 

PACK 

Mayor ....... 146 

Lecture on Capital and Labor; Elected Mayor; 
Administration; Closing Report. 

CHAPTER X 
CiVITAS ....... 161 

Writes Civitas; Views on: Liberty and its Founda- 
tions; Love of Wealth a Menace; Business World; 
Materialism and Unjust Laws breed dissatisfac- 
tion; Popular Politician; Description of Plutocrat; 
Plutocracy leads to anarchy; Methods of Pluto- 
cracy ; Government Control of Railroads ; Western 
Reserve Alumni Oration, 1890. 

CHAPTER XI 

Later Public Activities — The Silver Ques- 
tion . . . . . . .210 

Huxley Partnership; Proposed Political Appoint- 
ment ; Letter to John Sherman ; Views on A. P. A. ; 
Silver Question and Campaign of 1896. 

CHAPTER XII 

Family and Friends in Youngstown . . 229 

Personal side; Marriage; Children; R. McMillan; 
"Wheel"; Home Life; Letters to Children; 
Education; Death of Mother; Moves to Wash- 
ington. 

CHAPTER XIII 

Twilight ....... 256 

Letters to J. H. McEwen; Washington; Death of 
R. McMillan; Bayville; Return to Youngstown; 
Views on Imperialism; Poems; Letter to Mrs. 
McMillan; Illness and death. 



X CONTENTS 

APPENDIX 

PAGE 

Tributes to: Dr. Lord; Ex-Governor Washburn; Ex-Gov- 
ernor Campbell ...... 283 

Tributes by: C. P. Wilson; Wm. H. Baldwin; Rev. Robert 

J. Burdette, D.D. ; Florence S. Tuckerman . 295 



ILLUSTRATIONS 



W. L. Campbell . 

Mrs. Rebecca P, Campbell 

Mace and Walter 

Facsimile of Handwriting of 
Campbell 

Governor J. A. Campbell . 

Robert McCurdy 

Colwell p. Wilson . 

Mrs. Walter L. Campbell 

Reuben McMillan 

Mary R. Campbell — Isabella 
Allan R. Campbell 

J. H. McEwen . 

Walter L. Campbell. 1895 



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THE LIFE OF 
WALTER L. CAMPBELL 



CHAPTER I 

EARLY CHILDHOOD 

In the little town of Salem, Ohio, Walter Lowrie 
Campbell was born on November 13, 1842. He 
was the seventh son and ninth child of John Camp- 
bell and Rebecca Perry Snodgrass. His older 
brothers having used up the supply of family 
names, he was called for a missionary who had 
been drowned in distant seas. He used to say 
that he did not know whether his parents meant 
him to be a missionary, or to be drowned. 

Of Scotch-Irish descent on both sides, little is 
known of his ancestry. There is a record of the ma- 
triculation of Charles Campbell, his grandfather, 
in the University of Glasgow in 1780. Charles 
is there described as the only son of George 
{"artificis") of Stewartstown, County Tyrone, Ire- 



2 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

land, and as his birth year was 1768 he was then 
but twelve years old. He left the university for 
Haddington where he attended Burgher Hall, one 
of the church schools of the United Presbyterians, 
and studied for the ministry under the famous 
theologian, John Brown of Haddington. In 1789 
he was ordained in a pastorate in Londonderry. 
He came to this country in 1801, having been 
suspended from the ministry on account of 
intemperance. Before leaving Ireland, however, 
he had been "fully purged of scandal and restored 
to the communion of the church." He settled in 
York County, Pennsylvania, where he supplied 
the congregations of Lower Chanceford and 
Hopewell. He was restored "to the full exercise 
of the ministry" in 1803. He died April 7, 1804. 
His son John, born March 9, 1796, went further 
west to Salem, Columbiana County, Ohio. He 
was a saddler by trade, a Justice of the Peace, and 
in 1 830 the first president of the newly incorporated 
town of Salem. For a short time he was member 
of an editorial committee that issued the Village 
Register. He inherited his father's love of liquor to 
his misfortune, became bankrupt, and during the 
last part of his life took cargoes down the Ohio 
and up the Mississippi to Galena, Illinois, and to St. 
Louis. He died in Galena on February 3, 1845. 



EARLY CHILDHOOD 3 

He is spoken of as a genial, good-natured, lovable 
man with a strong sense of humor. He was devoted 
to his family and, but for his one failing would 
have been a model husband and father. He 
could have had little direct influence upon Walter 
who was scarcely over two years old when his father 
died and probably did not remember him at all. 

Rebecca P. Campbell was the daughter of 
Thomas and Susannah Snodgrass. Her paternal 
grandparents were the children of two of three 
brothers who came to Baltimore before the 
Revolution. At the time of her birth, March 10, 
1806, her parents lived in Steubenville, Ohio, but 
moved to New Lisbon, Ohio, during her early 
childhood. Her father was a merchant and she 
had two younger brothers. She was a woman 
of the strict Calvinistic type, a charter member 
of the Salem Presbyterian Church which had its 
beginnings in John Campbell's harness shop. 
Its first "house of worship" was put up the year 
of Walter's birth. For a year it was unplastered 
and plank and slab seats were used. Her own 
house was a center for its ministers. She was 
energetic, decided in thought and deed, never idle, 
very active. These incidents of her life are 
characteristic and show something of her temper- 
ament and way of attacking the problems she met. 



4 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

When, a very few weeks before the birth of one 
of her children, she decided that she needed a new 
rag carpet, she set to work, cut and sewed the 
rags, and had it down in time. In later years a 
younger woman whose health was in a critical 
condition was worrying about what would happen 
to her children if she did not recover. Mrs. 
Campbell told story after story of children well 
brought up by stepmothers, and with each tale 
her friend became the more determined to get 
well. She did and still smiles as she tells about 
it. Again, the case of a woman left a widow 
with several children w^as being talked over. The 
sympathizing company was wondering what she 
was ever going to do. Mrs. Campbell ended the 
discussion with the words, "She will just have to 
do what all the rest of us have done, go to work 
and take care of them." She was not unsym- 
pathetic but the circumstances were much the 
same as her own had been, and she knew that 
nothing but hard work had pulled her through. 

Her grandchildren remember her as an old lady, 
short and inclined to be stout, with white hair 
and alert brown eyes behind gold-rimmed spec- 
tacles. In the house she wore a large white 
cap and when sewing or knitting, which seems 
to have been always, although doubtless not, as 




MRS. REBECCA P. CAMPBELL 



EARLY CHILDHOOD 5 

she was a strict Sabbatarian, a large white apron 
over her black stuff gown. At her throat was a 
brooch, and a line of white edged her collar. For 
"best" she wore the conventional black silk, and 
she never laid aside her widow's bonnet. If she 
went out "to spend the day" she took her cap 
with her in its basket, and her "work" and apron. 
Always associated with her are the cap and apron. 
Her active old age must have been the outcome 
of the years of hardship and struggle with poverty 
when she brought up six boys without a husband's 
help. She was very strict with them. Her word 
was law and her children in their old age had a way 
of giving "Mother's" opinion as final. Of card- 
playing she would have none, but in later years 
she did not oppose it. Her grandson tells that she 
never allowed him to say "By George." That 
was swearing. To his substitute of ' ' My George " 
she made no objection. 

She was the mother of ten. Three of her chil- 
dren had died before her husband's death and her 
youngest was born a few weeks after it. She 
brought them up to help each other and their 
loyalty and family feeling is their strongest char- 
acteristic. With the death of their father, the 
children that could went to work. Susan opened 
a "select school. " The eldest son, Pressley, a boy 



6 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

of fourteen, swept out a store in Mount Union, a 
village not far away. The next brother, George, 
was taken by a family in the country. Allen, in 
his tenth year, began to learn the printer's trade. 
The mother took boarders, and so supported the 
younger ones and kept the home. 

Fortune favored Mrs. Campbell in putting 
her in Salem, for she could hardly have found a 
better place to Hve. Walter, in looking back, 
used to speak of the life there as almost Utopian, 
with no class distinctions, no very rich people 
and none very poor. There were simple social 
gatherings that everyone attended. "Early to 
bed and early to rise" was the rule. The original 
settlers had been members of the Society of Friends 
and it was always a Quaker town. This may have 
been the cause of the simpHcity and kindliness 
which were its chief characteristics. Its friendli- 
ness m.ade life easier for the God-fearing, hard- 
working mother and for the boy determined to 
overcome his handicap. 

A few months before Walter's birth, the Salem 
Village Register, of which his father was one of the 
editors, gave this description of Salem: 

"Salem is situated about sixty miles West of Pitts- 
burg, and near the same distance South of Lake Erie. 
It contains a population of more than i,ooo and is 



EARLY CHILDHOOD 7 

located in the midst of a well-improved farming dis- 
trict. It is pleasantly situated on a slight elevation, 
but the country around is for the most part compara- 
tively level. It was laid out some 35 years since, but 
has improved more rapidly of late than formerly. Most 
of the houses are frame, but a considerable number 
are of brick. It contains two woolen manufactories, 
one foundry, stores (mostly extensive), six or seven 
drug shops and groceries, three taverns, one tin shop, 
one watch-maker shop, two hatter shops, seven tailor 
shops, one coverlet-weaver, one stocking-weaver, and 
other weaving establishments; four cabinet-maker 
shops, nine boot and shoe shops, five coach-maker 
shops, ten blacksmith shops, twenty-five or thirty 
carpenters, two chairmakers, and ntmierous other 
workshops and mechanics of various kinds ; also three 
lawyers and four physicians, six houses of worship and 
five schools." 

In its next issue it supplied a few omissions in 
this list. Pictures of the town in this period show 
small buildings and a straggling Main Street with 
nothing very different from many other towns 
in the vicinity. 

As a child, Walter is spoken of as beautiful and 
active, with very bright eyes and a singularly 
happy disposition. When he was three years old 
his accident happened. The children that 
attended his sister's school were having recess. 
In the course of their games they threw clods 
of dirt at a barn door. Little Walter ran in front 



8 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

of them, and one of the clods struck him in the eye 
with a blow hard enough to knock him down. 
Upon examination it was found that a letter 
"P" had been cut in the corner of his right eye. 
At first the seriousness of the injury was not 
realized. Had the hurt eye been removed at once 
the other one might have been saved. But medi- 
cal science was not so advanced in those days as it 
is now ; the best that was known was done ; finally an 
attack of measles came, the inflammation spread, 
and the sight was gone forever. 

The child came out of the sickroom with a 
completely changed disposition. The pain and 
confinement had driven away his happy light- 
heartedness. After a time it came back, to a 
great extent, as he learned to go about and play 
with the other children. Soon he forgot entirely 
what the sense of sight meant. Light and dark 
had no meaning for him. His only sight-memory 
was of the moon. He remembered once standing 
on a rail fence with some other children and 
looking at it, and again, chasing it. 

Walter and his younger brother, Amasa (called 
Mace), were always together. As soon as little 
Mace learned to walk he began to lead Walter 
about and the two were inseparable. But before 
long Walter began to show his wonderful sense of 



EARLY CHILDHOOD 9 

location and direction. He could go anywhere 
in the neighborhood and take part in all of the 
games with the other children, and in the game of 
"hide-and-go-seek," they say, he could always 
find the others. The neighboring children were 
somewhat afraid of his mother, but whenever 
she went away there was a lively time. Mace 
went from house to house shouting, "Mother's 
away, Mother's away," and collected as many 
children as he could and high carnival was held 
until her return. 

One of Walter's delights was swimming. This 
was not encouraged by his elders. As a conse- 
quence whenever he had a chance he ran away to 
the pond and, after his swim, kept at safe distance 
until his hair was dry. When grown he used 
to say that this was the way he had learned to go 
about so independently. 

He seems to have had a very happy child- 
hood; to have been cheerful and to have had the 
usual childish pleasures. His younger brothers 
played with him and the older ones told him 
stories, read to him, and laid the foundation for 
the love of history and of literature that he never 
lost. His thirst for stories was insatiable. Once 
when he was sick, his sister told him story after 
story, trying to put him to sleep; finally, ex- 



lo LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

hausted herself, she thought she had succeeded, 
only to be met with the words, "Tell it again." 
It was a characteristic that remained. When 
he was interested in a book or a topic he would 
keep at it from early in the morning until late 
at night. 

He was deeply attached to his sister, who had 
had much of the care of him, and broken-hearted 
when her marriage to Reuben McMillan took 
her away from home when Walter was about seven 
years old. He spent the night before the wedding 
crying. When the young couple returned to 
Salem they brought little Walter a toy gun, in 
which the child delighted. Toys were few in 
that family, and the little fellow was very fond of 
this one, until some one jokingly told him that he 
had sold his sister for a gun. Then his pleasure 
was gone and he never played with it again. 

The marriage of Reuben McMillan with Susan 
Campbell began one of the finest and strongest 
friendships of Walter's life, and he was a man 
who had many friends and was capable of the 
best sort of friendship. Reuben McMillan was 
first thrown with the family when he went 
to Salem to learn the saddler's trade from John 
Campbell. Later he educated himself and made 
teaching his profession. He was a man of fine 




MACE AND WALTER 



EARLY CHILDHOOD ii 

intellect and of high character and became one of 
the foremost educators of his State. His influence 
was of the highest order, and he was always 
spoken of by his pupils with the greatest affection 
and respect, not only during the time spent under 
his instruction, but throughout their lives. Many 
men of distinction who had studied under him 
were ready to acknowledge their debt. Such a 
man could not have failed to have an influence on 
this sensitive boy, groping for knowledge, trying 
to develop his powers under adverse conditions, 
and determined even then not to let his blindness 
cut him off from Hfe. The deep love between them 
in later life must have begun at this time. 

Among the many friends of these early days, 
there were two families with whom the Camp- 
bells were more intimate, perhaps, than with any 
others. The first of these in point of time was 
that of Dr. Stanton, who occupied one half of a 
double house, in the other side of which the Camp- 
bells Hved. Long afterward Mrs. Campbell used 
to tell her grandchildren of the two large families 
living so near together and never a bit of friction. 
The Stantons were Quakers. Their younger 
children were about of an age with the older ones 
of the Campbell flock, and parents and children 
alike shared the friendship. 



12 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

In the early fifties Mrs. Campbell moved into 
a house on High Street. Across from her lived 
Mr. and Mrs. Allen Boyle. The friendship be- 
tween these two families still holds. The Boyle 
girls and the Campbell boys were like sisters and 
brothers, and Mrs. Boyle and Walter loved as if 
they' belonged to each other. Mrs. Boyle always 
took his part against her girls in the childish 
disputes and sometimes they felt that it was not 
quite fair. He was a great tease, and it was a trial 
to have one's long braid seized and be driven about 
like a horse and to know that there was no help 
to be had from "mother. " 

In this quiet Quaker town, among these friendly 
loving people, Walter's childhood was spent. 
Simplicity of life was the keynote, and this simpli- 
city he always kept. He looked back upon Salem 
and spoke of it with the greatest affection, and it 
had a very warm place in his heart. 

Sooner than most boys he had to go among 
strangers. Special instruction for the blind was 
beginning, and it was necessary for him to be where 
means of education were open to him. A few weeks 
before his ninth birthday, his uncle and aunt took 
him to Columbus, Ohio, where he entered the 
State Institution for the Blind. Vacations were 
still spent at home, but during the larger part of 



EARLY CHILDHOOD 13 

the next eight years he was at school, making 
his way among children meeting life under the 
same conditions as himself. The break was a hard 
one for the affectionate, sensitive child to make, 
but it had to be done. A new phase of his life 
began with his schooldays in Columbus. 



CHAPTER II 

SCHOOLDAYS IN COLUMBUS 

In October of 1851, Walter's school life began 
in the Ohio Institution for the Blind in Columbus. 
His uncle, Dr. Bazaleel Snodgrass of Lisbon, 
who, with his wife, was going to Columbus to 
attend the State Fair, took him. We can imagine 
the reluctance of the mother whose sons, one after 
another, had gone out into the world at tender 
years, to let this one who had had special care go 
from her. But she was not a woman to hesitate 
when her child's welfare was involved. She knew 
that an education was essential to his well-being, 
and that this was the best place for him. In his 
journal or composition book written during his 
schooldays in Columbus he gives this account of 
his trip : 

My Longest Jorney 

My longest jorney was when I came to Columbus 
the first time or [at] least it seamed the longest to me. 
I came with my uncle and aunt who were comeing 
to the state fare. I started from Salem about seven 

14 



SCHOOLDAYS IN COLUMBUS 15 

ocolek, on Monday morning in a hack crying as hard 
as I well could with kind voices of my uncle and aunt 
trying to cheer me untill I got to Aliance and then I 
cryed harder than I well could for when the locomotive 
then heard by me for the first time came hissing and 
puffing and blowing it seamed to bring a supply of 
salt water and I cryed till I got to Cleaveland and all 
night and till nine ocolek the next night when I ar- 
rived at Collimibus. The next day about ten oclock 
I found myself in the Ohio Institution for the Blind. 

The "kind uncle and aunt" left him at the 
school. When they returned the next day they 
found him comfortably settled among the other 
children, contented and already able to find his 
way around the house and grounds. 

The school was situated at some distance from 
the center of the city. It occupied a large build- 
ing and had large and beautiful grounds which 
gave the children plenty of room to play. There 
were grass and trees and bushes, and all was sur- 
rounded by a hedge, along which ran a walk. 
Just behind was a large grove, "Parson's Grove, " 
and there the children sometimes went, and there 
the annual May Party was held. 

When Walter entered the institution the edu- 
cation of the blind was in its infancy. So much 
advancement has been made in the last sixty 
years that it is hard to realize how few facilities 



1 6 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

were to be had and how little apparatus was 
available during his schooldays. Now, there are 
specially trained teachers. Then, the instruc- 
tors were those willing to devote themselves to 
what seemed a very limited, and to many use- 
less, sphere of influence. Now, geography is 
taught with maps that show rivers and moun- 
tains and boundaries to the sensitive fingers of 
the sightless as clearly as do the printed maps to 
the eyes of other children. Now, geometries are 
printed in braille with raised diagrams. Then, 
there were no maps and geometry was not in the 
curriculum. In the teaching of English there was 
not even a dictionary in raised letters until the year 
after Walter left the school. The wonder is that 
such good work could be done as was accomplished. 
Funds were always scarce as people were not 
yet convinced that it paid to educate blind chil- 
dren. The Ohio Institution had been in operation 
but fourteen years when Walter entered it, having 
been opened in 1837 with five pupils. The total 
enrollment for his first year was sixty-eight, and 
for his last one hundred and eight. The ordinary 
attendance was considerably smaller, however, as 
when Miss Brown became matron in 1856 she took 
charge of forty-five children. 

In addition to the common school branches, 



SCHOOLDAYS IN COLUMBUS 17 

each child was taught a trade. The object of the 
school was to fit the pupils to go out into the 
world, live independently, and be self-supporting. 
The trades taught then were the making of mat- 
tresses, and of brooms. Nowadays the list of in- 
dustries open to the blind is much longer. The 
more talented children were taught music and 
trained to make it their profession. It looks as 
if Walter thought it a choice between music and 
brooms, and chose music. Though he had no 
natural aptitude nor taste for it he probably had 
none for broom-making either. 

He made up his mind to be a musician, but the 
path was not clear. Appropriations were not 
large enough to cover all the needs of the school. 
The State was not willing to spend more than the 
minimum on this experiment. As elsewhere, the 
musical department was limited as to apparatus. 
There were not enough pianos to go around, so the 
Professor of Music, Mr. Nothnagle, decided to 
make a test and weed out the unpromising pupils. 
This test was to sing the scale. Those that suc- 
ceeded were to be allowed to study music; not so 
the others. Walter failed completely, was told 
there was no use for him to waste time in trying 
to secure a musical education, and was dismissed. 
But Walter had made up his mind, and was not to 



i8 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

be downed. With his characteristic independence 
of action and pluck, without consulting anyone, 
he went to the head of the school and asked for 
permission to use one of the pianos from six A. m. 
until the breakfast hour, seven. The request was 
granted and he went to work. One of the assistant 
professors or older students helped him. He soon 
showed marked talent (within a year could tell any 
note that was struck on the piano) and was given 
every facility and opportunity that the school 
afforded. When he left the school he was con- 
sidered the finest pianist that the school had pro- 
duced up to that time. He also took lessons on 
the violin and the pipe organ, and toward the end 
of his course was organist in the Westminster 
Church in Columbus. At the recitals at the 
school he was one of the best performers. All this 
might have been lost if the nine-year-old boy had 
not been determined to go ahead in spite of dis- 
couragements. It was apparent to all that even 
if he had no natural talent for music he had culti- 
vated a very good substitute. In the Institution 
the question is still discussed as to whether or not 
he could have accomplished what he did without 
any inborn musical sense. He, himself, declared 
that it was all cultivated. At all events, his in- 
structors saw that it was worth while to give 



SCHOOLDAYS IN COLUMBUS 19 

him a musical education ; and also that he had a 
brain worthy of the best that could be given it. 
There was no talk of broom-making or of any other 
mechanical art for him. He did bead work, how- 
ever, and bore home many little gifts for his family 
and friends, some of which are still preserved. 

In 1856, Dr. Lord became superintendent of the 
Institution and Miss Brown, matron. Too much 
cannot be said about its character during the 
remainder of his time in it. It was a real home 
for the children, Christian, and of high moral tone. 
They lived as one family, the boys and girls 
meeting together in the rooms of their elders. 
Miss Brown's room was a link between the two sec- 
tions of the building, and here the children would 
gather, perhaps to talk among themselves, perhaps 
to listen to something read aloud. Interesting 
books were chosen, so that the readings were en- 
joyed by the children, and without their knowing 
it they were given a taste for the best in our 
literature. 

Miss Brown found the children with one habit 
that she distinctly discouraged — that of ' ' touching 
hands" as they called it. They did not want to 
give it up, and argued that other people could see 
each other but they could not; it was their only 
way of meeting. But Miss Brown said that they 



20 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

must because it was not well to do things in the 
school that they could not do when they were out 
in the world. She was very sympathetic, and 
sometimes wisely closed her eyes, as on one oc- 
casion when she opened the chapel door and saw 
Walter and a little girl sitting there by themselves. 
They were doing no harm and she slipped out 
again, leaving them never the wiser. 

It was at this time that the boy began to train 
his memory by committing long extracts of the 
best literature: Dr. Lord advised this and he 
practiced it indefatigably. During one summer 
he memorized several books of Paradise Lost and 
of Pope's Essay on Man. A thing once learned he 
never forgot. Up to the time of his death over 
fifty years later he would repeat long selections 
both in English and in Latin that he had memo- 
rized in his youth. In his manhood when he re- 
turned to the Institution and was asked to speak 
to the children, he was accustomed to emphasize 
the value of this. This brief "essay" on Memory 
is to be found in his composition book : 

Memory 

As the memory is very important depart of of the 
mind no opportunity for its improvement should be 
allowed to pass. I would be obliged to any one 



SCHOOLDAYS IN COLUMBUS 21 

that knows if they would inform me of the best 
method for strengthening the memory. 

These other extracts from the same book — 
half diary, half composition book — tell something 
of what he was doing and thinking. 

Sept the tenth 

Nothing of peartlerer interest has taken place to- 
day the lessons are in the same order that they were 
yesterday On the eleventh we have an adetionanal 
recitation I go to town in the afternoon and play at 
the Westminster Church in the evening. Almon 
Brooks arrived here this evening and gave our room 
a treat to good chese that was made at home Nothing 
to say for the twelvth and thirteenth 

Sep the fourteenth 

They dropped today the studies of mensuration 
geography and rhetoric and composition on a some- 
what different basis from what it was before The 
fifteenth I commenced the veryation Sweet Home 
Thalberg which takes practice 

Thursday the 16 

I went to town to get a to nerve of a tooth killed 
and the dentist said he would plug it next week 
While I was gone Ssli Gowdy arrived from Cincinnati. 
Monday I commense writing music and agree to go 
to give concerts. 

Evening 

I went to market in the morning 



22 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

The lines on "The Sources of Happiness for 
the Blind" are worth special notice. While of a 
happy disposition he was greatly depressed at 
times and he must have ^iven the subject much 
thought. 

The Sorces of Hapeness for [the] Blind 

Hapiness is the aim of man from of man from the 
cradle to the grave He sees it far ahead in in wealth or 
fame and he climes the niggerd hill of industry in 
pursuite of it with an undieing energy and an unfalter- 
ing step. Everything that does not tend to make 
man happier is useless Now the man that affirms 
that those deprived of sight are incapibell of enjoy- 
ment assencially saiss that four of his sences are a 
nuisance. That [the] ear through which the Almighty 
most vividly brings his power before the mind as in 
the sudden clap of thunder the pouring watters of 
Niagra the roaring of the ocean, through which man 
speakes to man by music the unaversal languag 
might be dispensed with; that the sense of fealing 
with out wich it is hardly possible fore man to exist 
is undeserving of a place in his constitution that the 
Creator waisted his power when he gave us the senses 
of taste and smell. Such ideas are eroneous. Those 
are truly sorces of happiness yet they are not the 
greatest The blind are not necessarily idiotic or 
crasy as some seam to think but on the other hand 
they often possess the greatest minds. Being unable 
to crowd into their [minds] every whim they attain 
by reflection a complete understanding of what 
knowledge they do possess They often advance 



SCHOOLDAYS IN COLUMBUS 23 

sounder doctrines and better prinsiples than men who 
have more knowledge but in a kind of a conglomerated 
mixed up mess that will never do themselves or any- 
one else any good. The reason why the Apostle Paul 
was smote with blindness seams to me to be that his 
attention migt not be attracted by the scenes arround 
him so that he could reflect on his condition. Now 
never let me hear anyone say after this that because a 
person is deprived of the use of [a] couple of balls 
on eitehe side of the nose [he] is therefor incapable 
[of] enjoyment 

The Laying of the Cable Grandely Celebrated 
IN Saleme 

It was one hot sultry [day] last August that I came 
up home from down street and dinner not beaing quite 
reddy I thought I would take a short knap so [I] dark- 
ened one of the rooms to drive the flys out and lay 
and lay down. I had just weighed ancor [at] dose 
port in dreamland when I was aroused by [the] tolling 
of what of what I supposed was [the] bell for twelve 
oclock so I concluded to wait till the bell got got 
through before I again set sail. Surprise conster- 
nation amasement perplexity all seased hold of me 
at once and to account for the ringing of the bell was 
entirely beyond my my [comprehension] Finally I 
was told that the cable was laid that the Queen's 
message had been received. At first I felt felt a little 
asshamed of this celebration but I have come to the 
conclusion now that the people of Salem had a good 
deal of foresight. They gave it just as much as it 

deserved. 

Walter. 



24 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

It was during this period, too, that religion 
began to occupy his thoughts. Theology was 
of great interest to him in later years. Deeply 
religious by nature, his beliefs did not always 
take the orthodox forms. He did much thinking 
and little talking. Miss Brown tells of her sur- 
prise when he first mentioned the subject to her. 
Apparently he had been unaffected by a series of 
revival services which Dr. Lord had been holding 
in the school. These had stirred the other children 
greatly. Walter said nothing at all for some time, 
then he told Miss Brown of his readiness and desire 
to unite with the church. She, feeling that he 
was entirely sincere, but fearing that the desire 
was the outcome of the general excitement and 
might not be permanent, advised him to take more 
time to consider the question. This, the first out- 
ward manifestation of his religious instincts, is 
important in its relation to after events. 

In 1859 we find Walter ending his life in the 
Institution, after having completed the full course 
of study. He left the school with a knowledge 
of the common school branches; could read easily 
the raised letter type; could write by means of a 
grooved board a fairly legible hand; had a well- 
trained memory and a knowledge of and taste for 
the best in English literature. Music was to be 



SCHOOLDAYS IN COLUMBUS 25 

his profession and he was qualified to support 
himself by teaching and as an organist. Many 
friendships had been formed and his loyalty to 
the school, his instructors, and his fellow-pupils 
never wavered. In later years he rarely, if ever, 
missed a reunion, and usually delivered an address. 
In 1874 he was elected president of the newly 
formed Alumni Association. This was at a meet- 
ing at which the completion of the "new house" 
was celebrated. As president of the day, Mr. 
Campbell made the following address : 

My Friends, — I have just been informed that at a 
meeting of the pupils and graduates held this morn- 
ing, I was chosen to preside over the deliberations of 
the day. It would not be consonant with the sacred- 
ness or dignity of the occasion to allude to the personal 
satisfaction I feel in being thus honored. I can but 
thank you for it. 

We are here to-day (to do what I have hitherto 
thought very rarely desirable) to consider ourselves, 
pupils and graduates of the Ohio Institution for the 
Blind, as in a sense a sort of special class, a kind of 
peculiar people with trials and triimiphs and aspir- 
ations and defeats different from those of other men. 
We may, however, for once shut out the active, busy 
world around us and review our own past, consider our 
own present, and peer, it may be, into the future. 
Memory and hope to-day claim our obedience while 
they lead us whithersoever they will and gladly let us 
submit to the gentle guidance. We are indeed but 



26 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

now come from the old to the new, from the shadowy 
past to the very threshold of the dawning future, and 
standing here we can look back upon a past full of 
hallowed associations, and forward to a future bright 
with alluring prospects. 

These halls to which we but now bade farewell, how 
full , how suggestive they are of inspiring reminiscences ! 
though empty, they seem thronged with busy youth, 
pursuing with ardor learning's difficult path; though 
silent, they seem filled with the harmony of wonderful 
music. Tear down these walls if you will. Memory 
will build them up again, not indeed of crumbling 
brick and mortar, but of her own imperishable ma- 
terials. Into this memory -made Institution, all will be 
summoned; and there once more will be heard the 
noisy tramp of many feet, the himi of many voices, 
the confused murmur of many instriiments, the re- 
vered teacher instructing, the kind officer admonish- 
ing, the choir and its anthem, the morning and the 
evening prayer. 

Think it not strange that the associations which 
memory marshals around yonder deserted building, 
draw us backward toward it with a power though 
gentle, still strong, still irresistible. It was there that 
we were first bom to a love of learning, there that we 
were first inspired with an ambition for intellectual 
and moral powers, there that we first felt those vague 
longings of the soul to realize to the utmost the all- 
undiscovered possibilities of our manhood, there that 
we caught the first glimpse of the priceless worth, the 
incomparable sublimity of even one honest, earnest, 
active human life. Now does someone ask, "Is 
sentimentalism like this, all that can be returned to 
the State of Ohio for her vast expenditure in our 



SCHOOLDAYS IN COLUMBUS 2-] 

behalf?" I answer it is enough. To have generally 
diffused among the blind a love of learning, a desire 
for intellectual and moral excellence, a determination 
to make the most of themselves, a sense of personal 
responsibility and power, is an ample return for any 
expenditure however great. He who holds senti- 
ments like these as a part of his very being, woven 
into the very woof of his soul as it were, the strong, 
fadeless threads of it strengthening and coloring the 
whole, blind though he be, though hungry and ragged, 
and shelterless to boot, stands forth among his fellows, 
even in this commercial, money-making age, a man, 
"every inch " a man. This, though return enough, is 
by no means all. There are scattered throughout 
the State, blind men of consideration and influence 
in the community where they dwell, earning a liveli- 
hood and holding their own in the jostlings of business 
life. Many of them make livings, few fortunes, and 
all the families to which they belong the happier, and 
the circles of society in which they move the pleasanter, 
for having been there. While this is true, still there is 
a view of this matter that I would not disregard 
myself nor have overlooked by others. Our history 
thus far has been very largely experimental, and 
although the possibility of doing something by the 
blind man has been proved, the field for his usefulness 
is still very circumscribed and narrow. To enlarge 
this field, to discover new paths, must be for some time 
yet our endeavor. We must attempt this or that 
calling, pursuit, or profession, until the limit of useful- 
ness for the blind has been reached. 

This, I apprehend, will not soon be. In the division 
of labor now going on, affecting as it does every calling 
and pursuit, I see in the future boundless possibilities 



28 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

of usefulness for the energetic , the righteous man . We 
still need pioneers to press forward into these new 
fields, bold, brave men, who will take the chances of 
failure that they may succeed; for be assured that 
though you and I should sacrifice our lives in a vain 
endeavor to make ourselves useful outside our sphere, 
still there will follow those who, studying our defeat, 
will learn to achieve victory. In my view of the 
economy of things, in my understanding of providence, 
there is, there must be, a place, a use for all, and there- 
fore each seeming failure is in the great plan an 
indispensable step toward universal success. I am, 
however, talking too much. We are here to-day 
dedicating, in a manner, a new and beautiful temple to 
learning. I am sure that from this attestation of 
satisfaction with the work of educating the blind, that 
this new building evinces on the part of the people of 
Ohio, we shall gain confidence in ourselves, and we 
shall all go away with better hope and higher purpose 
for the future. 

Mr. Campbell was always very much interested 
in blind children and glad to help them in any way 
that he could. Many parents whom he did not 
know at all wrote him for advice. After he began 
to use the typewriter frequent inquiries came 
about its practicability for the blind. He believed 
that the adult blind should not think of them- 
selves as a class by themselves, but should live 
normal lives as far as possible. For this reason he 
thought that many of the philanthropic movements 



SCHOOLDAYS IN COLUMBUS 29 

for their help were mistaken kindnesses. Although 
he was a trustee for the Ohio Working Home for 
the Blind for some years he finally resigned from 
lack of sympathy with it. His own life is the best 
expression of his ideas on the subject. 



CHAPTER III 

YOUTH IN SALEM 

When Walter's school life in Columbus was over 
he returned to his home in Salem with the inten- 
tion of making music his profession. He was 
proficient on the piano, the organ, and the violin, 
gave music lessons, and was organist in the Pres- 
b3rterian Church. He composed music, as well, 
some of which was published. Some years later 
his brother Allen wrote from St. Louis that he had 
purchased his "Institution Waltzes" in a music 
store in that city, having inquired for them in 
order to see if they were known and to be obtained 
there. In the fall of i860 he entered the In- 
stitution for the Blind in Philadelphia for the 
study of music. This fragment of a letter speaks 
for itself : 

Walter L. Campbell to William Chapin 

Salem Aug 21 
William Chapin 
Dear Sir 
Yours of the i6th received and the contence noted. 
No answer is required perhaps on rti}^ part. I simply 

30 



FOLDOUT 



OLDOUT 



YOUTH IN SALEM 31 

to assure you that can endure, without a murmur all 
degrees of crowding so my room mates are cleanly. 
I feel the necessity of the advantages of some of the 
eastern institutions. Philadelphia is my first choice 
tho I Boston is my next choice tho I do not like that 
very well. I infantly prefer Ohio to New York judge 
from her specimens of concerters that I have seen . If 
I can not enter your institution as kind of an assistant 
teacher I would pay full price of tuition for a few 
weeks and would like to do so if convenient to all 
parties. 

It is possible that the few mistakes in the letter 
account for its not having been finished and sent. 

He returned to Salem in the following February- 
bearing a certificate that he had spent live months 
in the school, could perform on the piano, the 
organ, and other instruments, teach music, and 
serve as organist in a church. 

Perhaps it was while he was in Philadelphia 
that he decided that he was not meant to be a 
musician. It is certain that after hearing a great 
performer there, he talked the matter over with 
Miss Miranda Hamlin, a very dear friend of all of 
the Campbells, and told her that he was conscious 
of a lack in himself that would keep him from 
going much further. He often said that he was 
not really musical. Still, his accomplishments 
were remarkable. When he was learning a new 



32 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

selection he would sit at the piano while it 
was read, occasionally striking a note or playing 
a bar, and when the reading was finished play the 
entire piece. He did this with long and difficult 
pieces as well as with simpler ones. His ear was 
accurate and his critical ability good. In spite 
of his dissatisfaction with himself as a musician 
he went back to Salem and his teaching and his 
organ. It was not until nearly thirty years later 
that he finally gave up his music altogether. 

With his return to Salem, Walter resumed 
the friendships that had been more or less inter- 
rupted during his school days, and took his place 
in the community. His humor and ready wit 
made him a welcome member. He joined in its 
social life, much of which centered around the 
church with its Mite Society and choir practice, 
and his blindness was so kept in the background 
as to make people forget it. His presence was not 
one to put a damper upon the fun; in fact he was 
more likely than not to be a leader in any sport on 
hand. If it were music, he was always ready with 
his piano or violin. With the piano he played 
many tricks. When his children were growing 
up he amused their friends with them by the hour, 
and they must have been learned in his own young 
days. One, in which he played the treble of one 



YOUTH IN SALEM 33 

familiar tune and the bass of another, always 
brought laughter. Again, he would put a book 
or newspaper on the piano wires, with a result 
that resembled an orchestra. He was a great 
joker too, but his jokes were always good himiored 
and without a trace of malice. He with two of 
his friends, Mr. T. C. Mendenhall and Mr. James 
Day, had what was called the "slick cent." 
This belonged to the last one to have made 
the best joke, and was in constant circulation. 
The young ladies did not always find this game 
amusing, and one of them, at least, used to leave 
them and go to bed. "I was not going to have a 
joke made of every word I said, " said she. 

Although he never took much interest in clothes 
and was careless about his dress unless he were 
watched, at this time he spent some of his earnings 
on what he used to describe as a " velvet vest with 
buds." He evidently regarded it as a garment 
of great beauty and worth. A photograph of the 
fair-haired, slender youth shows him arrayed in 
such a waistcoat, probably the only one of the kind 
that he ever owned. 

With the Boyle family the Campbells continued 
to be on terms of the closest intimacy, and with 
none was the bond closer than with Walter. They 
no longer lived across the street from each other as 



34 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

Mr. Boyle had moved to a farm a little out of 
the village. Here Walter was a constant visitor. 
Whenever Mrs. Boyle saw him coming she would 
say to one of her daughters, "Here comes Walter; 
go and read to him." 

She treated him like a member of the family. 
There was always a place for him at her table. 
Her eldest daughter, Maggie, a girl of his own age, 
sat next him and prepared his food, a thing that 
she did at parties as well. This was one of the 
few things that he did not do for himself. Some 
one always cut his meat and spread his bread. He 
was extremely sensitive about this, and liked to 
have one that was accustomed to it perform the 
service. 

With one member of the Boyle family, the little 
crippled sister Mary — or Mamie as she was 
affectionately called — there was special sympathy. 
It may have been because both of them were 
meeting life under peculiar conditions. At all 
events, they understood each other and she could 
get very close to him in the periods of depression 
that sometimes came over him, and often cheer 
him by singing to him. The others learned to pay 
no attention to his moods and to take him as they 
found him, but, as they said, ' ' Mamie could always 
understand him. " 



YOUTH IN SALEM 35 

In the relationship between the two families, 
it must not be inferred that the kindness was 
all on one side, for it was mutual. The older 
Campbell boys were like older brothers to these 
girls, bringing them presents whenever they came 
home on visits ; lending them books, and perform- 
ing any acts of friendship that they could. After 
the Boyle family moved out to their farm, the 
daughters sometimes felt that the young men did 
not care to take them home after evening parties 
on account of the long walk. "Walter never 
minded it." One evening Miss Maggie, stopping 
to make a call on her way home, was delayed until 
dusk. Then, as there was no one to go with her she 
started on alone. In a little while she heard foot- 
steps behind her, and, frightened, hurried along. 
She had been in the house only a few minutes, 
when Walter appeared. He had heard that she 
was alone, gone after her, and, when he discovered 
that she had started, had tried to catch up with 
her. 

All of his life he had a very tender protecting 
care toward women. It was shown not only to 
those nearest to him, but to all whom he knew. 
We see it here as we see it everywhere in his life. 
There were always women near, women of the high- 
est type, who turned their best side toward him. 



36 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

Mother, sister, teachers, friends were with him 
in the early formative period and later on his wife. 
He was so manly and with it all so sensitive 
and tender and protecting that there can be no 
doubt that this constant association had had an 
influence in developing these qualities. It is no 
wonder that he idealized women. 

He was not dependent upon women in a material 
sense, however, requiring but little more care 
than any other man. Aside from the preparation 
of his food, there was nothing that he could not 
do for himself. He dressed himself, telling one 
suit of clothes from another by the texture of the 
cloth. He frequently found "lost" articles for 
which others had searched the house. Once when 
he was organist in a church one of the mem- 
bers of the choir whom he had asked to get a 
piece of music returned without it. Then he 
went himself, and when he brought it back a 
smile spread through the choir to the con- 
gregation. He carried a watch without a crys- 
tal or a second hand, and told the time by 
touching the hands. In later years he had a 
minute repeater which was a great joy to all of the 
children of his acquaintance, who liked to hear 
it strike. Coins he could distinguish by their 
size; with bills he kept the different denominations 



YOUTH IN SALEM 37 

in separate pockets. He always felt of a new 
object, carefully studying its characteristics, and 
"saw" everything that came into the house. Of 
course he knew from his sense of touch any ordi- 
nary article. In fact there was so little that he did 
not notice that those who were with him much 
did not think of him as different from themselves. 
He used the word "see" as they did, saying, "I 
saw So-and-so when I was downtown this morn- 
ing, " "Let me see that," etc. A stranger would 
notice this at first. He went about the house 
entirely unaided, but on the streets he always 
carried a cane, made a little longer than the stand- 
ard length. He walked at an average pace and 
went along as independently as anyone. In later 
years he travelled extensively through the country, 
frequently alone, and never had any difficulty. 
In the towns that he knew he made his way as 
surely as though he could see. He had a sense 
that told him when there was an obstacle ahead — 
it may have been some change in the atmos- 
phere. He could detect such small things as poles 
and posts, and said that he did so by a feeling 
in his cheek. People he recognized by their 
voices, and seldom made a mistake. A voice once 
known was always remembered. Often people 
whom he had met but once he knew again in this 



38 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

way. Numbers of his friends and acquaintances 
tell of his meeting them unexpectedly in strange 
cities, sometimes after periods of years, and calling 
them by name. He was conscious of other char- 
acteristics of those he knew well, and speech was 
not always necessary to recognition. Often he 
knew that a person who had tried to hide by keep- 
ing quiet, was in the room. To those people 
who are accustomed to being with the blind these 
things do not seem so marvelous as to others. 
They are taken more or less for granted, and seem 
hardly worth mentioning. Still there are not a 
great many that have overcome the absence of 
sight from a physical standpoint alone to the degree 
that he did and in so many ways. Walking he 
enjoyed. Driving he did not care for, never feeling 
entirely safe behind a horse. His love of swimming 
he never outgrew. 

His interest in the game of chess began at this 
time. His brother Allen, Dr. Byron Stanton and 
Professor Mendenhall played the game frequently, 
and he wished to play it too. Dr. Stanton had a 
stamped board on which the squares were so raised 
as to be easily told by touch. With this board 
after learning the pieces he soon learned their 
positions and moves and then the openings. It 
was not long before he played a very good game. 



YOUTH IN SALEM 39 

He carried the board and game in his mind, though 
his opponent usually had a board. Both players 
called their moves as they made them. 

These years of life in his own home town were 
saddened by the death of Pressley, the eldest of his 
brothers that lived to maturity. He died in the 
summer of 1 860, still under thirty years of age, but 
leaving behind him an example of integrity and of 
industry for the younger boys to follow. He had 
started at fourteen in the store of Pettett and Park 
in Mt. Union, Ohio, educated himself, become a 
banker, and accumulated some property. He 
had a fatherly eye on the younger boys, and 
especially on Walter. He stimulated his love of 
history and of knowledge, and his was the hand 
that traced the geometrical figures on pasteboard 
that the sightless boy might understand them. 
This death was a sad blow to all of this family, 
among whom the spirit of family love was so 
strong. 

We must not forget that these were the days 
before the war, with their many burning questions, 
of which slavery and the right of secession were 
the greatest. Discussion was carried on in grocery 
store, post-office, street, wherever men gathered. 
Who doubts that Walter was on hand, listening 
always, and as he grew older taking his part 



40 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

in the discussions and unconsciously gaining the 
facility in extemporaneous speaking which he was 
to use later on? There was great difference of 
opinion at first in the little town, although it had 
its station on the Underground Railroad and 
later was to come out strongly for the Union. Dr. 
Stanton's house was the station, and perhaps in 
Walter's earliest years he heard whispers about the 
fugitives led to freedom. It is not unlikely that 
his older brothers helped — but whether they did 
or not, love of freedom was bred in the bone. In 
his maturity he tried to get it for the Filipino as 
in his youth he had for the negro. His ears were 
open always, and his lack of sight had given him a 
power of concentration and of thought that made 
him a thinker beyond others of his years. With 
how much interest he must have listened to what 
was said, and with what eagerness he must have 
attended the meetings where men of note from 
the East and other parts of the country were to be 
heard. It is easy to imagine the zeal with which 
he went about it to do his share in the cause of free- 
dom. He was never silent when a word from him 
would help. Salem was a fertile field for religious 
and theological as well as for political discussion, 
and to this he listened also. 

It is now time to turn to Walter's intellectual 



YOUTH IN SALEM 41 

life. He was dissatisfied with music as a profession, 
and he thirsted for knowledge. Opportunity was 
given him to go on with his studies. He entered 
the Salem High School. The Presbyterian min- 
ister, Mr. Maxwell, gave him lessons in Greek. 
His mother gave a place in her home to Miss Rose 
Prunty, later Mrs. Firestone, a teacher in the 
High School, who taught him Latin, mathematics, 
and other branches. With Professor Thomas C. 
Mendenhall, who came to Salem in 1862, geometry 
was begun. Mrs. Firestone and Dr. Mendenhall 
have written the following accounts of the way 
the studies were pursued and a schoolmate, Miss 
Lauretta Barnaby, gives the story from the point 
of view of a fellow-student. These accounts are 
given in full. 

By Mrs. Rose P. Firestone 

I first met Mr. Walter L. Campbell in the fall of '57 
in Salem, O., his birthplace and the residence at that 
time of the remaining members of the family. He was 
then home on a visit from Columbus, Ohio, where 
he had been for some years under tuition carefully 
adapted to his infirmity. The instructors there he 
invariably spoke of with a warm appreciation of their 
readiness and skill in imparting information. A Mr. 
Little, afterwards superintendent at Janesville, Wis- 
consin, particularly impressed him and assisted in 
laying the foundation for a system of reading and 



42 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

literary acquisitions, fruitful in after life. The 
esteem was mutual. Long after both had passed 
away, Mrs. Little, late of Oberlin, testified to the 
regard in which her husband held the memory of his 
old pupil. 

Mr. Campbell impressed me on our first interview 
as a fine specimen of young manhood; earnest, active, 
quick of perception, ready with the confidence of 
youth in assertion, seldom mistaken; his sole physical 
infirmity scarcely noticeable, so well did he carry 
himself and refrain from inviting attention. 

The study of music had been prosecuted through- 
out his entire course in Columbus, with the view 
of making that his occupation, and when a year or 
two later, he returned home and engaged in teaching, 
it became to all appearances his life's work, but it did 
not satisfy him. Mathematics, for which he had a 
natural bent, and Latin which appealed to his knowl- 
edge of Roman history, carefully fostered in early 
childhood by a favorite brother (he laughed as he told 
how the story of the three bushels of rings which 
Hannibal is said to have stripped from the fingers 
of the Roman knights impressed his boyish fancy) 
appealed strongly to his tastes, and he entered the 
High School where he soon became facile princeps, 
to the great astonishment of his classmates. Many 
recent appliances for the blind were then wanting, 
but his tactile fingers easily traced on the reverse side 
geometrical figures drawn for him on thick cardboard 
by an elder brother. The simple problems of algebra 
were mastered by the aid of a special slate; the more 
complicated, involving close thought he soon learned 
to retain and solve by memory, they became indeed a 
great amusement. In the classics he delighted; the 



YOUTH IN SALEM 43 

graphic portraits of Sallust, "the righteous self- 
applause " of Cicero, had for him a charm unknown to 
the blase students of the present. 

His remarks and comments on all subjects had the 
clear, sharp-cut distinctiveness of coins newly issued 
from the mint; teacher and class often profited by 
them. 

Still he was not satisfied, study stimulated further 
study. The old classical course, then the sole college 
curriculum, had for him a strong attraction and in 
the fall of '63, he entered Western Reserve College 
at Hudson, Ohio. The writer called on him while 
there and accepted in all simplicity his invitation to 
spend an hour with him in his classroom. She 
learned afterwards to her surprise that she had com- 
mitted a gross solecism, the wife of one of the 
professors informing her that it was unknown for 
ladies to visit college classes, they left that to Oberlin. 
She would have inferred as much from the gross vul- 
garism on the blackboard. 

Radical Oberlin was still at that date a non persona 
grata among sister colleges. Tempora mutant. She 
well remembers the warm encomiums she heard 
passed upon his scholarship, and the natural pride 
she felt at having contributed to it. He en- 
tered somewhat deficient in Greek, but decidedly 
ahead in mathematics. "I just carried a couple 
of fellows through in algebra," he remarked long 
afterwards. 

His subsequent career is a matter of public 
record. This slight tribute from one who knew 
him well in early youth may serve as a pebble 
to his cairn piled high in the memories of all who 
knew him. 



44 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

Recollections from a Schoolmate 
(Miss Lauretta Barnaby) 

After Walter's return from the " Institute for the 
Blind," he attended the Salem High School in prepa- 
ration for college. As a classmate, the writer can 
never forget with what awe the younger and less ma- 
ture members of the class regarded his store of 
knowledge and his gift of acquisition, or the wonderful 
power of concentration that enabled him to demon- 
strate a theorem in geometry, or to follow a demon- 
stration from a figure as clearly imprinted in his 
mind as was upon their vision the corresponding figure 
on the blackboard. Equally worthy of remembrance 
was the ready willingness, even eagerness, of the 
younger boys of the Cicero class to assist him in the 
preparation of his lessons by reading to him, regarding 
it an easy task to furnish eyesight and a little time 
in exchange for brain work. For many an hour of 
drudgery were they saved by Walter's retentive mem- 
ory and quick comprehension. 

Dr. T. C. Mendenhall to M. R. C. 

I think the whole scheme of his higher education and 
professional training was your father's own and that 
he did not always receive encouragement from his 
friends and acquaintances. To them the obstacles 
to be overcome naturally seemed almost insurmount- 
able, their point of view being so far removed from 
his. My acquaintance with him began in the Autumn 
of 1862 — very soon after I went from Marlboro to 
Salem to begin work in the Salem High School. Our 
acquaintance very soon ripened into a friendship 
which was terminated only by his death. We had 



YOUTH IN SALEM 45 

many tastes in common: whenever circumstances 
pennitted we were much together and our relations 
close and intimate. I soon learned of his ambitions 
and of his plan for taking a complete college course of 
study and I was happy to be able to assist him in some 
degree in their realization. My own limited scholar- 
ship at that time was mostly confined to the field of 
mathematics, the one kind of learning in which it 
is possible to make considerable advancement without 
teacher, library, apparatus, or material appliances of 
any kind, and this was the subject concerning which 
he most doubted his own powers. In language, his- 
tory, andl similar subjects his remarkable memory 
enabled him to accomplish more in a given time than 
most students not handicapped as he was. So it 
was of mathematical subjects that we talked and 
especiall}^ of geometry, the difficulties of which he 
feared could not be overcome. I induced him to join 
my class in that subject in the High School and I was 
delighted to give him as much help outside of school 
hours as was necessary to enable him to prepare for 
his college entrance examinations in mathematical 
subjects. 

I soon found that his capacity for mastering mathe- 
matics was fully equal to that of the best third of 
my pupils who could see, and considerably greater 
than the average, which proved conclusively that his 
remarkable facility in "learning" was not based alone 
on unusual power of memory. 

His presence in my High School class in geometry 
developed into an interesting experiment in teaching 
that subject, the results of which were of much value 
and attracted considerable attention among teachers 
of mathematics at that time. 



46 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

Under ordinary conditions in demonstrating a 
geometrical proposition from a figure drawn upon a 
blackboard much use is made of the fact that all of 
the class can see the drawing and the letters or figures 
by which it is marked and are thus relieved from the 
task of following closely the description given by the 
pupil at the board; and the latter, also, may be, and 
generally is, quite careless as to that description. 
In the same way, in the various steps of the demon- 
stration the presence of the visible figure to which ref- 
erence is continually made lessens enormously the 
intellectual effort necessary for the whole operation. 
Reduction of intellectual effort to a minimum was not 
in those days (as it seems to be at the present time) 
the sole object and desire of the teacher and the 
presence of your father in the class opened the way to 
an increase of such effort on the part of all the other 
members. 

Realizing that the geometrical form or magnitude 
under discussion must exist completely as a mental 
picture with him and that it must be built up b}*" 
complete and exact attention to details, I asked the 
other pupils, whenever giving the demonstration of a 
proposition from a figure on the board, to be careful 
to omit no necessary step, to be precise in every 
statement and to leave nothing dependent upon the 
visibility of the figure, "because," I said, "to one 
member of our class this figure has no existence and 
only when it is accurately described with every step 
in its construction correctly given can he form a mental 
image of it which takes the place of that on the black- 
board with the rest of us. " Of course every pupil 
in the class was glad to go to any trouble that was 
necessary to help our sightless member to a complete 



YOUTH IN SALEM 47 

understanding of problems that he was attacking so 
courageously and very soon I observed that some of 
them would close their eyes during the demonstration 
of a proposition in order to put themselves in his 
place as far as was possible and to realize in this way 
just what his difficulties were. This suggested to me 
the idea of assuming that all were blind and trying 
our geometry without blackboard or visible diagram. 
The experiment was tried with very satisfactory results 
and we called it "Mental Geometry " after the fashion 
of ' ' Mental Arithmetic ' ' then much in vogue. It was 
strong food and when the proposition to be demon- 
strated was long and complicated it was difficult — 
even exhausting — for many members of the class, 
but its effect in strengthening intellectual fiber and in 
securing and developing close, concentrative attention 
on the part of the class was noticeable from the start. 
Of course we could only have a little of it every day ; 
it was too strong for an exclusive diet, though your 
father lived on nothing else. At the request of the 
editor of the Ohio Educational Monthly, I wrote a 
description of the experiment, its origin and success, 
which was published in that journal and widely com- 
mented upon. Some time afterward, a professor of 
mathematics in Pennsylvania published a book 
called Mental Geometry, in which the same idea was 
developed, but I never knew whether he got the 
original idea from our Salem experiment. 

Of course your father's difficulties with problems 
in solid were vastly greater than with those in 
plane geometry but by the occasional use of a 
model he acquired very clear and correct conceptions 
of the "Geometry of Space. " 

I think it was during this period that he began the 



48 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

game of chess and it is my recollection that I taught 
him the first moves in that game. I was rather 
devoted to the game at that time and his remarkable 
ability to carry along a complicated demonstration of 
a geometrical proposition suggested to me that he 
would probably have little difficulty in carrying a game 
of chess in his head. After getting once started he 
made very rapid progress and very soon his teacher 
was no match for him, in spite of the advantage of 
having the board and men in full view all of the time. 
We walked a good deal together and very often he 
would open a game of chess while walking, challenging 
me to follow him, which I could do for only a very 
few moves. 

According to my recollection I accompanied him on 
his first visit to Hudson, which I think was in the 
spring of 1863 or at the Commencement of that year. 
His object in going was to try the examinations 
for admission, which were held during Commence- 
ment week, or about that time. I think he found 
himself much ahead of the requirements for admission 
to the freshman class and that with little trouble he 
could enter as a sophomore and this was doubtless 
what influenced him to enter at Hudson rather 
than at Hanover of which he had thought.' My 
confidence in my belief that this was his first visit to 
Hudson grows out of an interesting circumstance 
which is worth recording. In walking about the 
streets of Salem with him he had frequently amused 
himself and me by striking with his cane any hitch- 

' He found that he could enter Western Reserve the following 
September but another year of preparation would have been 
necessary for Dartmouth. — M. R, C. 



YOUTH IN SALEM 49 

ing post, telegraph pole, or similar thing on the edge 
of the sidewalk, the presence of which he seemed to be 
able to detect in some mysterious way. He could 
walk all about Salem alone without danger from 
accident, so perfect was his mental picture of places 
with which he was familiar, and I was inclined to the 
opinion that he might even remember the location of 
every post or pole along the side of the street. For 
this reason when we were in Hudson and were starting to 
walk up the main street for the first time for either of 
us, I said to him, "Now Walter, I am going to put you 
on the outside, next to the curb, as we walk up this 
street and I want you to tap the hitching posts as 
we pass along, if you think you can do it." We 
passed many as we walked along towards the College 
Campus and almost without exception he detected 
their presence, tapping them with his stick. During 
this walk his arm was resting in mine and it is quite 
possible that I unconsciously gave some sign when a 
post was approached which he, also unconsciously, 
recognized. His own explanation of it was that he 
"seemed to feel the presence of such an object as he 
approached it, through a peculiar sensation in his cheek, 
the cheek next to the object that made the impression . ' ' 
As to the facts I cannot doubt them and I remember 
many instances of performances of a similar character, 
especially when approaching an obstacle of consider- 
able size such as a wall or the side of a house ; he would 
invariably stop before actually coming in contact with 
anything of that sort. I remember, also, that he 
declared that in walking along the street what always 
gave him the ' ' biggest fright ' ' was a sudden drop in the 
sidewalk at a point where he was not "at home." 
Often the step-down was only an inch or two but the 



50 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

"fright " was just as great, for until his foot actually 
touched something solid on the lower level a drop 
of a couple of inches was just the same to him as 
one of forty feet ! — Another incident of his college life 
amused us both very much and was much talked about 
at the time. While still teaching in the Salem High 
School I had arranged to spend a part of my vacations 
at Hudson (while the college remained in session) as a 
private pupil of Professor Charles A. Young — the 
afterwards famous astronomer of Princeton College — 
and by a special dispensation I had been elected to 
membership in the Beta Theta Pi college fraternity, 
to which Walter also belonged. I occupied a room in a 
college dormitory and one evening a number of our fra- 
ternity brethren were visiting there with Walter and 
me. There were, perhaps, a half dozen of us seated 
in various parts of the room, and one of the men, 
happening to have a small marble (such as boys 
play with in the spring) in his pocket took it out and 
began amusing himself by trying to shoot it (holding 
it only by the thumb and first finger) at the door-knob, 
several feet away. Of course he failed to hit it and 
others became interested in the game, asking in turn 
for the privilege of having a try at it. Although 
each took several trials no one was successful, when, 
at last, Walter, who had quietly listened to the talk, 
remarked that he believed he would like to have one 
try at it himself. This brought much laughter but 
the small ball was put into his hand, and greatly to 
the astonishment of all of us, after deliberate aim, 
from a distance of about ten feet, he sent it whizz- 
ing to the spot striking the knob, apparently in the 
exact center! — Although as much surprised as any- 
one at his success he instantly assumed the air of one 



YOUTH IN SALEM 51 

who was quite accustomed to that sort of thing and 
could repeat it a dozen times in succession if he only 
chose to do so. 

You speak of a trip "up the lakes" that he took 
in the summer of 1867. I was then living in Middle- 
town, Ohio, halfway between Dayton and Cincinnati, 
where I had gone to be superintendent of schools on 
leaving Salem in 1866. I had formed a pleasant and 
intimate acquaintance there with three young men, 
James E. Campbell, a young lawyer, afterwards 
Governor of Ohio, member of Congress, etc., etc., 
Frank Forster, a young business man, and "Joe" 
Brock, one of the owners and editors of a weekly news- 
paper, the Middletown Journal. "Going up the 
lakes" at that time was a much less common and a 
much more difficult feat than going to Europe is to- 
day. The country throughout northern Michigan 
and all along the shores of Lake Superior was still 
largely a wilderness — many Indians still running 
wild there. We, the four in Middletown, determined 
to make the journey and I (being practically the 
organizer of the excursion) invited Walter Campbell 
to accompany us, of course with the entire approval 
of the other Middletown men, whose only query 
was as to the amount of pleasure he would be 
able to extract from such a journey. The ques- 
tion of expense was important to us but being 
a "party" and through the interest of Thwing 
Brooks with his kinsman we obtained satisfactory 
rates from Mark Hanna, the owner of the Northern 
Light, an old sidewheel steamer (mostly given to 
carrying freight) on which we took passage. James 
E. Campbell was compelled for business reasons 
to give up the trip, but the remaining three in the 



52 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

Middletown quartet joined Walter Campbell in 
Cleveland. 

To all of us it was a memorable journey and it was 
the universal consensus of opinion that none got more 
out of the trip either in the way of pleasure or profit 
than Walter Campbell. He was a universal favorite, 
loved by all with whom we came in contact, and in 
many ways was "the life of the party. " On our way 
back we stopped a week at the " Soo," then practically 
nothing but an army post, where we were entertained 
by the officers stationed there and, in turn, entertained 
them with our "music" (we were all musical and had 
carried instruments with us) , of which Walter always 
furnished a large share. He was keenly interested in 
everything we ' ' saw ' ' ; the pictured rocks and other bits 
of scenery were described to him as best we could and he 
retained a more vivid picture of the whole excursion, 
I am sure, than any other members of the party. 

You ask about a subsequent trip to Omaha, but of 
this I am unable to tell you anything as I had no share 
in it and was too widely separate from your father at 
that time to hear much of it from him. 

In the year following our excursion to the Great 
Lakes, I went from Middletown to Columbus to take 
a position as science teacher in the Columbus High 
School, and I recall an interesting instance of his 
ability to find what he wanted which occurred soon 
after I began work there. He had been a favorite 
pupil and graduate at the Institution for the Blind 
in Columbus, making occasional visits to it, and on his 
first visit after I made my home in Columbus he came 
to see me at the High School. I suppose he knew 
Colimibus quite well and was accustomed (some 
years before) to finding his way about there but I do 



YOUTH IN SALEM 53 

not think he had ever before had occasion to visit the 
High School building. I presume he had pretty 
definite instructions from his friends at the Institution 
before leaving so that he made his way to me as surely 
and directly as if he had been able to see as well as 
anyone. I did not know that he was in town but I 
happened to be standing at the window of my room 
(on the ground floor and next to the street from which 
there was a side entrance to the building) when he 
came along. I saw him when he was, perhaps, a 
hundred feet away from the gate which admitted to 
the side entrance. He walked briskly along until 
opposite the gate, and then suddenly stopping, he 
began feeling about with his slender flexible cane that 
always reminded me of a sensitive tentacle which 
revealed the nature of everything it touched. He 
found the gate at once and entered without the 
slightest hesitation or doubt as to his being in the 
right place. 

I do not know at what period, before or after his 
college career, he memorized Milton and Pope. In- 
deed it seemed to most of his friends and associates 
that no special memorizing was necessary with him, 
the "fixing process" being apparently coincident 
with the "impression, " and the impression, we often 
thought, was made by a very slight "exposure." 
On many occasions I debated with him on the "Com- 
pensations of Blindness" in favor of which he argued 
with much force, so earnestly and logically that it 
often seemed that he would actually have chosen his 
lot as it was had a choice been offered him. He was 
fond of controversy and debate though invariably 
courteous and considerate of the opinions of others. 

Springing from a race that may, I think, be justly 



54 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

characterized as rather "high-strung" I do not re- 
member ever to have seen him angry. His affliction 
had evidently taught him patience and the necessity 
for a large measure of it in dealing with others. Be- 
sides, he had a keen appreciation of humor, which is a 
saving jgrace wherever it is found. 

T. C. M. 
Ravenna, Ohio. 
Nov. i6, 1913. 



CHAPTER IV 



COLLEGE YEARS 



Walter Campbell entered Western Reserve 
College at Hudson, Ohio, in 1863. Dartmouth, 
his first choice, would have taken another year of 
preparation. He went to Hudson in July for 
Commencement, took his examinations, and re- 
turned at the beginning of the fall term ready to go 
to work. He was fully prepared in everything 
but Greek. Before he left home his friends in 
the choir and congregation of the Salem Presby- 
terian Church had presented him with a "raised 
letter" Bible, accompanied by this letter: 

Salem, O., Sep. 9, 1863. 

Mr. Walter Campbell. 
Dear Sir: 

Your friends of the choir and congregation ap- 
preciate your long and faithful attendance upon and 
performance of 3"our part of the duties of the choir on 
the sabbath. As you are now about to leave they 
have thought this a suitable time to make some out- 
ward sign of this appreciation. 

A few of them have for that purpose purchased 
55 



56 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

and do now present to you a Bible with raised letters 
which they trust you will accept in the same kind 
Spirit in which it is given. 

They pray for God's blessing upon you in your 
studies and that the precious truths of the Gospel of 
Christ may be your comfort in life, your support in 
death, and your portion in eternity. 

A. B. Maxwell, 
In behalf of your friends. 

The following extract is from his brother Allen's 
answer to his first letter from college : 

I received your letter yesterday. I think you will 
do very well if you persevere and never in any way 
give way to the "blues." But then I think you are 
safe. You will have plenty of hard work that is a 
wonderful antidote — a sure cure, I think. Don't 
be scared at your hard Greek. Labor omnia , but then, 
advice is not one of the vices I am addicted to, and a 
Campbell may be trusted to take care of himself. 
Mother appears to be very well pleased with your com- 
panion, teachers, and landlady, and I have no doubt 
you can if you try make them pleased with you. 

College life fifty years ago was very different 
from to-day. These gleanings from the catalogues 
of Western Reserve give some idea of the condi- 
tions prevailing there in the sixties : 

(From the Western Reserve Catalogue, 1 863-64.) 

Admission. 
Candidates for admission to the Freshman Class are 
examined in English Grammar, Geography, Arith- 



COLLEGE YEARS 57 

metic, Algebra, as far as equations of the second de- 
gree, Zumpt's or Andrews and Stoddard's Latin 
Grammar, Latin Prosody, eighty pages of Arnold's 
Latin Prose Composition, Cicero's Select Orations, 
Sallust, Virgil, Sophocles' or Hadley's Greek Grammar 
and Jacobs', Colton's or Felton's Greek Reader. 
Expenses. 

Tuition $30.00 

Room Rent 9.00 

Incidentals 6.25 

Contingencies, average 1.25 
Total amount of charge per year $46.50 

It was wartime, and this note of the high cost of 
living has a familiar ring : 

The price of board has advanced on account of the 
increased expense of provisions. At present it varies 
in good families from $2.00 to $2.50 a week, and in 
clubs from $1.30 to $1.55 a week. 

* * * * 

It is estimated that the whole annual expense of the 
student, exclusive of apparel and traveling expenses, 
need not exceed one hundred and fifty dollars. 

General behavior was not neglected: 

Occasional lectures are delivered before all the 
students on subjects pertaining to Literature, Science, 
or Practical Ethics, designed to promote good order, 
decorum, and a spirit of study. 

There are Literary Societies connected with the 
College which afford the students ample opportuni- 
ties for mutual improvement in writing and extempo- 
raneous speaking. They are well sustained and have 



58 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

valuable and increasing libraries. The libraries of the 
College and Literary Societies contain about one 
hundred thousand volumes and are accessible to all 
the students. 

In grade, Western Reserve ranked with the East- 
em colleges. It was well situated, and had a large 
campus with fine trees. The buildings were sub- 
stantial and well planned, the dormitories being 
arranged in apartments of one study and two bed- 
rooms each. The studies had open fireplaces and 
the rooms were of good size. The college was 
notable on account of having the first astro- 
nomical observatory in the United States. Wil- 
liams had the foundations of hers laid earlier, but 
that at Hudson was the first completed. It was 
built by Prof. Elias Loomis, but in 1863 it was 
under the charge of Prof. Charles A. Young, who 
remained in Hudson until 1866, when he went first 
to Dartmouth and later to Princeton where he 
became perhaps the foremost astronomer of his 
day. Rev. H. L. Hitchcock was President of the 
college; N. P. Seymour, Professor of Greek and 
Latin; and Carrol Cutler, Professor of Intellec- 
tual Philosophy and Rhetoric. These four, who 
were all men of force and character, are the ones 
who seem to have had the most influence upon 
Walter during his college years. 



COLLEGE YEARS 59 

Walter already had the power, which he never 
lost, of making friends easily, and the friends that 
he made he kept. From the first his influence on 
his fellow- students was strong. Mr. Charles T. 
Williams, who was tutor in his freshman year, says 
this influence was toward "courtesy, generosity, 
and magnanimity. " By the time that he reached 
his senior year the other students regarded his 
opinions as authoritative and almost equaling 
those of the professors. His spirit of democracy 
made him as ready to extend a helping hand to 
the "Prep" as to the "Senior." Mr. Charles R. 
Truesdale, who was in the preparatory department 
of the college during his last year, says : 

You ask me for my recollection of the impression he 
made upon his fellow-students. I recall distinctly 
how his classmates honored him and how every under- 
classman knew him and looked up to him and con- 
sulted him almost as an oracle. He was possessed 
of a memory that was absolutely faultless and he 
delighted in holding council with his fellow-students. 
For his wisdom they admired him and for his charity 
they loved him. 

Mr, Marshall, his roommate, puts it, "He was 
a man; the rest of us were boys." 

During his freshman year he roomed with Mr. 
James Ludlow Kendall, and had his reading done 



6o LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

by different members of the class. Many years 
later Mr. Thomas H. Wilson, in a talk with one 
of Mr. Campbell's classmates, Mr. E. H. Harvey, 
asked him if it were not irksome at times to the 
other students to have one who required special 
help. "No," replied Mr. Harvey, "he helped us 
more than we helped him. For instance, when 
we were studying mathematics, and we came to a 
difficult point, Walter would ask the page and its 
position on the page. Days or weeks later when 
we would be having trouble with a problem Walter 
would say 'If you turn to such and such a page 
you will find the solution so many lines from the 
bottom.' " Tutor Williams, in the class room, 
came to be able to pick out those who had studied 
with him. 

After his freshman year Mr. Clifton G. Marshall 
did all of his reading for him. They roomed 
together and the studying was done at night. 
Walter excelled in the so-called ' 'English Branches, ' ' 
Logic, Metaphysics, etc., though his roommate did 
not always find them so interesting. Frequently 
before the forty pages of Hamilton were finished 
he would be keeping awake by walking round 
and round the center table on which the lamp 
' 'was perched on a pUe of books. ' ' One reading was 
all that was necessary for Walter; when that was 



COLLEGE YEARS 6i 

over the matter was firmly fixed in his mind. The 
studying lasted until ten or ten-thirty, after which 
Walter was accustomed to go out among his other 
friends for the rest of the evening. 

Sometimes he went to the room of Sidney Strong, 
who was tutor in the college. He met him on his 
first visit to Hudson, when Mr. Strong's "Vale- 
dictory" won his admiration. They did a good 
deal of reading together of poetry, philosophy 
and history, both then and later in Youngstown. 

However, the evenings were not all spent in 
intellectual improvement. There was the usual 
amount of fun and mischief that comes with col- 
lege days. There is a tale of a wonderful dance, 
altogether against the rules, of course, that was 
held in the top story of one of the college buildings. 
Walter was seated on a table chewing tobacco and 
calling the dances as he played his violin. Sud- 
denly footsteps were heard, and the dancers, one 
by one, slipped out — only the absorbed musician 
remained fiddling and calling when Prof. Cutler 
entered and interrupted him with the words, 
"Walter, I think you had better go to bed." It 
was the general opinion that if any other man had 
been found, more would have been said. 

He is still remembered in Hudson, where with 
the other students he made friends among the 



62 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

townspeople. He went to parties and occasion- 
ally played the organ in one of the churches. He 
was generally popular, and especially so with the 
girls. When he took one of them out perhaps he 
would pass his hand lightly over her hair and 
dress and tell her how he liked her appearance. 
He walked both for exercise and because he en- 
joyed it; also he played chess. With one friend 
who could play without a board, he made use of 
many odd moments, and especially of chapel 
exercises. The Transcript, the college paper, 
speaks of a chess club of which he was treasurer 
one year and president another. Altogether he 
had a pretty good time. 

In the organizations of the college Walter Camp- 
bell took an active part. He was a member of the 
Beta Theta Pi. His literary society was the Phi 
Delta. In this he was a leader. He was especially 
good at extemporaneous speaking. He also wrote 
some lectures which he delivered in other towns. 

Of college honors he won his full share. He had 
the Freshman Prize for "Written Translation," 
and the Sophomore one for "Composition." At 
the Junior Exhibition he delivered the "Philo- 
sophical Oration," and at his commencement 
the "Salutatory." He was graduated second in 
his class in spite of the fact that he insisted upon 



COLLEGE YEARS 63 

being graded on all of the college work. There 
seems to have been some field work in trigonometry 
which he did not attempt and which, consequently, 
lowered his average. The honor for which he 
cared the most was his election to the Phi Beta 
Kappa Society. It was the one that he most 
desired for his son, and one of the happiest ex- 
periences of his life was when they went to a 
luncheon of the society together at Cambridge 
in 1899. 



CHAPTER V 

A WINTER IN CAMBRIDGE 

In the summer after the end of his college course 
Mr. Campbell took the "lake trip" which Dr. 
Mendenhall has described in an eariier chapter. 
He was always on the lookout for new ideas, and 
on this account he was fond of travel and of meet- 
ing and talking with strangers. He must have 
been somewhat tired, too, after his year of hard 
work, and glad of recreation. The trip was taken 
on a pass given him by Mark Hanna. Many years 
later when he was opposing Hanna politically he 
laughingly referred to this. Mark Hanna came 
from what was then New Lisbon, and is now Lis- 
bon, Ohio, a town not far from Salem. It had 
been Mrs. Campbell's home before her marriage, 
and she still had relatives there whom her sons 
often visited. A warm friendship had grown up 
between Mark Hanna and Allen Campbell, and 
he willingly gave the pass to the younger brother, 
with whom he was not so well acquainted. Later 

64 



A WINTER IN CAMBRIDGE 65 

in the summer there was a trip to Chicago with his 
brother Newton, who was connected with the 
railroad and secured a pass for him again. 

In order to understand Walter's Hfe, something 
must be known of his brothers and the relation- 
ship that existed among them. Although after 
their childhood they were separated much of the 
time, a strong family spirit held them together. 
Pressley's death left George the eldest son. At 
this time he was a photographer and artist in 
Pekin, Illinois. He later went to Florida, and 
remained there until his death in 1877. He had 
less influence on Walter's career than any of the 
other brothers. Walter once said that he and 
George were rarely together and that he never 
knew him very well. The next brother, John Allen, 
Allen as he was called, was, after the mother, the 
real head of the family. Soon after his father's 
death at the age of nine years he started out to 
learn the printer's trade. He educated himself 
and did newspaper work and other things until the 
war broke out, when he enlisted in the Union 
army and serving throughout the war rose to the 
rank of Brigadier-General. He was a man of 
intellect, power, and great strength of character. 
It is impossible to overestimate his influence on 
this younger brother. There was great love and 



66 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

sympathy between them. The fatherly care of 
the elder for the younger is shown in letters a little 
further on in this chapter and the wonderful affec- 
tion and regard of the younger for the elder, later 
on, in a tribute written after his death. 

The brother next older than Walter, Isaac 
Newton, served in the army from 1862 until the 
end of the war, and rose to the rank of Captain. 
His work for some years both before and after the 
war was with the railroads. He and the youngest 
brother, Amasa, who was seeking his fortune in 
the West, were most generous in their contribu- 
tions of money to help their sightless brother secure 
an education. They were all intensely proud of 
him and always ready to do anything that they 
could for him. At the same time they were helping 
to support their mother. To the calls of the family, 
all the brothers were ever warmly responsive. 

After a year's study of law in the office of Judge 
J. A. Ambler in Salem, Walter entered the Har- 
vard Law School. On his way to Cambridge he 
made visits in Philadelphia and in New York. His 
brother Allen, who was connected with the War 
Department in Washington, met him in New York 
and accompanied him to Cambridge. Allen had 
an army comrade and tentmate in Boston, Col. 
Horace N. Fisher, who had been a student in the 



A WINTER IN CAMBRIDGE 67 

Harvard Law School. Col. Fisher introduced 
Walter to the professors and helped him to find 
a room for the winter in the house of Mrs. Bixby. 
He also acted as his banker during this period — 
the brothers sending remittances in his care. 
The bond required by the University was signed 
by Col. Fisher and by Mr. John H. Fisher, his 
brother. During the winter the student always 
found a welcome both at the office and at the home 
of his brother's friend. 

The winter in the East was a very pleasant one 
for him. It was full of opportunities that he had 
never had before, and he was not slow to make use 
of them. He soon learned the way from Cam- 
bridge to Boston, and went about these cities, 
with their difficult and irregular streets, as easily 
as he had gone about Salem. By himself or in the 
company of a fellow-student, he took the long walk 
into Boston that he might hear the foremost 
speakers, the leading actors and the finest operas. 
His seat might be at the top of the house, but he 
heard and remembered. When he had finished 
the year, he called it the happiest of his life; and 
well he might, considering that these pleasures 
were minor in comparison to the major one — his 
friendship with Theophilus Parsons, Dean of the 
Law Faculty. 



68 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

It was a remarkable friendship that grew up 
between the elderly professor and the young 
student — the one over seventy, the other under 
thirty. Professor Parsons was coming constantly 
into contact with the younger generation as it 
streamed through his classes. Of this young 
man's power to accomplish what he desired he was 
at first very doubtful. Soon, however, his attitude 
changed; nor was it long before they were fast 
friends. There is a note inviting the younger man 
to a Christmas party at the Professor's house, where 
he was a frequent visitor and well acquainted with 
the family. But the greatest benefit that his 
teacher gave him was neither in social pleasure 
nor in legal learning, but in opening up a new 
world of philosophy and religious thought. 

From his infancy Mr. Campbell had been sur- 
rounded by religious influences. His parents had 
been Presbyterians of the strict Calvinistic type. 
He had been brought up on the Bible and had a 
very thorough knowledge of it. It was a favorite 
pastime of some of his 3^oung friends to quote 
Bible verses for him to locate. He stopped the 
practice when an old lady said to him one day, 
"Walter, I hear that you know the whole Bible 
off by heart." In telling the stor>^ he said, "It 
was all right to fool the young people, but when it 



A WINTER IN CAMBRIDGE 69 

came to fooling a nice old lady I had to stop." 
(The remark is typical of his respect for age and 
for women.) All of his life he had been a constant 
attendant at church, much of the time as organist. 
Being naturally reflective and of a religious temper- 
ament he thought much along theological lines. 
As a boy in Columbus, he had felt the desire to 
unite with the church, which had been restrained 
by Miss Brown. She had feared that he was act- 
ing on a mere impulse but he had undoubtedly 
given the question careful thought even then. In 
these days when the spirit of liberality has crept 
into the churches it is hard to understand the 
situation forty years ago, with its cold, hard, dog- 
matic teaching. Much that is held as non-essen- 
tial now was essential then. Brought up in this 
atmosphere of strict orthodoxy, Walter Campbell 
had the desire to believe, but there were certain 
doctrines that he could not accept. During his 
last year in college there had been a revival and 
discussion of religion among the students. There 
was only one public meeting, but there were smaller 
ones in some of the men's rooms. At one of these 
meetings his will to believe overcame his doubts, 
and he spoke of his faith. Shortly after this he 
went to Salem, and one evening in prayer meeting 
there, he rose from his seat, and said, "Lord, I 



70 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

believe, help thou my unbelief." It was a start- 
ling and unusual thing to do, but no one present 
had any doubt of his sincerity. On the 28th of 
March, 1867, he was received into the Presb3^e- 
rian Church in Salem on the profession of his faith. 
Even after this the old questionings kept coming 
up and it was not until he met Professor Parsons 
that his mind was at rest. 

Professor Parsons was a leading member of the 
Swedenborgian Church, and a writer on Sweden- 
borgianism. In the course of conversation, one 
day, his pupil said, "I wish that you would tell 
me something about Swedenborg's philosophy. 
I do not care about his theology." The reply 
was that "his philosophy and theology were 
inseparable." The way was now open for the dis- 
cussion of the subject, for Sweden borgians never 
proselytize or thrust their beliefs, unasked, upon 
others. The theology of Swedenborg was a revela- 
tion. It threw a new light on Biblical teachings 
and presented a view that he could accept. It is 
not known whether or not he accepted Swedenbor- 
gianism in its entirety. It is certain that he did 
largely. He was never again thrown with Sweden- 
borgians and never connected with the church, but 
it gave him a very beautiful, broad, and happy 
faith that remained with him. 



A WINTER IN CAMBRIDGE 71 

As in Hudson, so in Cambridge, Mr. Campbell 
pursued his studies with a determination and zeal 
that, at once, put him in the first rank of the 
students. Professor and student alike testified 
to the quality and brilliancy of his scholarship and 
achievements. One of the most noteworthy pieces 
of work that he did was a so-called "written opin- 
ion." With his fellow- classmates these opinions 
were actually written and read. They were long 
and carefully written, citing the different cases 
bearing on the subject. He gave his entirely from 
memory, and cited his cases and authorities without 
an error. 

These letters tell of the other events of the year; 
how he spent his winter vacation; his admission 
to the Massachusetts bar; and what led up to his 
determination to settle in Wyoming. 

8th Feby. 

My dear Brother — 

I yesterday reed your letter of the 5th inst. I sup- 
pose before you left Cambridge you reed, my letter of 
the same date asking you to visit me. Write me by 
what train you propose to start from New York and 
I will meet you at the depot, or in case I shld by any 
accident miss you the enclosed card will give you my 
address. 

If I had known that you were to be in New York I 
would have had Col. Schofield who is now at Fifth 



^2 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

Avenue come over with you, but he returns tonight 
and I could not get word to him in time. 
Come on as soon as you can. 

Your affectionate Bro. 
Allen. 

Theophilus Parsons to Gov. Campbell 

Cambridge — May 28/69. 

To Hon. J. A. Campbell, 
My dear Sir — 

The question you propose to me is one of great 
importance to your brother Walter, & therefore of 
great interest to me. 

I have always believed that a young man who pro- 
posed to become a lawyer, gained an immediate ad- 
vantage, by thorough preparation ; and that the time 
expended in this preparation, was never lost. 

In proportion as the student has ability and energy, 
it is, on the one hand, more desirable that he should 
continue studies in which he can profit more than 
others. 

But, on the other hand, it must be admitted, that 
in proportion to his general ability & capacity of pro- 
fiting by study, must be his ability to make up by 
personal study for what he gives up of school study; 
especially if he have had enough to regular study, — 
so to call it, — to lay in his mind a firm and adequate 
foundation for his further private labour. I have 
also felt the importance to a young lawyer of profiting 
by whatever facilities are opened to him at the outset. 
For of nothing is it more true than of a lawyer's 
career, that the first step is all the difficulty. 

Now to apply all this to your brother Walter. I 



A WINTER IN CAMBRIDGE 73 

have never had a student, more capable of profiting 
by instruction, or more disposed to profit by it to the 
largest possible extent. It follows that I have had no 
student who would be likely to profit more by con- 
tinued study, & full preparation. And his blindness 
adds greatly to the expediency of his waiting before 
he begins, until he has made the amplest preparation. 

But it is equally true, that his loss of sight makes it 
especially desirable for him to profit as promptly & 
largely as possible, by those means of assistance which 
are within his reach at the beginning of his career. 

And I know no one, literally no one, of whom I am 
more certain that, if he has books and opportunities, 
let him live where he will he would be more certain 
to become a first-class, learned & skillful lawyer. 

Now, your position, & the vicinity of your brothers, 
offer him immense advantages. Your state is but now 
launched. Let him be once rooted there in its begin- 
nings, & I am certain he will grow with the state, & as 
that advances in prosperity so will he. 

Finally, I do not know the facts as well as you do. 
I should certainly advise him to stay here another 
term, because I am certain he would gain a great deal 
by it, unless it is probable that he would lose more than 
he would gain. 

Are young lawyers now pressing into your state, & 
filling all the posts in the advanced guard of the pro- 
fession? If so, he should be among them. 

Are you and your brothers able to reserve for him, 
& for a future day, all that you could do for him now? 
If so he might lose nothing by delay. If it be other- 
wise he might lose a good deal. 

In one word I would stay here, were I in his place, 
unless by my delay in seizing valuable facilities where 



74 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

you are, they would be lost. But, in that case I would 
go at once. 

Walter will not fail, whether he comes to you now or 
presently. I am sure he is better prepared to begin 
work now, than nine out of ten of the men who open 
offices either here or with you ; more than ninety-nine 
in the hundred, I think, of those who open offices in 
your new state. 

You see that I do not answer your question posi- 
tively, because you alone can judge of facts which are 
essential to a wise answer. And therefore you must 
decide. 

You may have one comfort, whichever answer you 
make, you will be safe. The question is not what 
shall Walter do that he may not fail ; but what shall he 
do that he may succeed most easily & most promptly. 

I am, most sincerely y'rs 

Theophilus Parsons. 

Gov. Campbell to W. L. Campbell 

Wyoming Territory, 
Executive Department. 

Cheyenne, 5th June, 1869. 

My dear Brother — 

I have reed, the letter from Prof. Parsons and also 
your own letter. It appears to be your wish to come 
out here and it certainly is mine to have you come. 
Under the circimistances perhaps it is as well for you to 
pack up your books at the end of the term, take leave 
of your friends, and go home to make preparations for 
your start in life in the "Far West. " I think we can 
manage to pull through together and now I suppose 



A WINTER IN CAMBRIDGE 75 

we may consider this matter settled, without upon 
reflection and consultation and advice from those at 
home, whose wishes should properly rule us we change 
our minds. I think you will like it here. I do not 
know how long it will take you to get into practice, 
but think it will not be a great length of time. You 
need not think you are going to have a hard time. 
You will ride out here in comfortable silver-palace 
sleeping cars; stop at a good hotel and I will try to 
have a comfortable office fitted up for you by the time 
you arrive where you can sit like the famous spider 
weaving meshes for entrapping the innocent flies. 
I do not feel the least doubt in regard to your success — 
not the least. I wish I was as sure of my own future 
as I am of yours. 

Col. Fisher will supply you with what money you 
need. Such law books as you absolutely require it 
will be well for you to purchase in Boston, but per- 
haps it will be as well before you make any extensive 
purchases for a library that you should come out here 
and see what you most need. All the money you want 
for any purpose whatever will be supplied by Col. 
Fisher. 

I think that perhaps Loring Brooke would be a 
good partner for you, but of that matter you must be 
the judge — Judge Ambler spoke to me about bringing 
him out here, and he wants to come. I do not know 
but that I will have an appropriation for a Private 
Secretary, or be able to pay for one out of my contin- 
gent fund. The salary will not be large but I can give 
it to your partner if necessary. 

Our Chief Justice is a first class gentleman, and I 
know you will like him. Amasa is now East, and says 
he will bring you with him. By-the-way, I just re- 



76 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

member that I met Julia Ward Howe in Washington 
last winter and she gave me her address in order that 
you might call on her. You can find out where she 
lives if you desire to call. 

Since commencing this letter I have reed, another 
letter and also a certificate (signed by all the Faculty) 
from Prof. Parsons. I have written him but could 
scarcely find words to express my gratitude for his 
kindness and the interest he takes in you. 

Please remember me to Mrs. Bixby. 

Your friend Mr. Morrill only remained with me a 
few minutes. He has gone to Colorado, but promised 
to stop on his return. 

Don't know whether Amasa is going to Boston or 
not. Newton is quite well — He is at the Sweetwater 
gold mines in this Territory. 

Write me. 

Your affectionate Brother 

Allen 

From the Law Faculty 

Mr. Walter L. Campbell, of Ohio, has been a 
student in this Law school for about one year. 

When I learned that he had no power of sight, it 
seemed to me almost impossible for him to acquire, 
or to make use of, the knowledge which a first class 
lawyer must possess. But the ability of the blind to 
compensate for the want of sight by industry and in- 
telligence, of which there are within the last few years 
remarkable instances, is better illustrated by Mr. 
Campbell than by any other case that I have known ; 
unless it be that of Mr. Fawcett, who, although per- 
fectly blind, is now an influential member of the par- 
liament of Great Britain, and a successful lawyer. 



A WINTER IN CAMBRIDGE 77 

More than a hundred and fifty young men have been 
students with Mr. Campbell; and I am certain that 
no one has learned more law or learned it more intel- 
ligently. Knowing his desire to be spared in nothing, 
two very difficult cases were given to him, — his full 
share — one for trial & one for opinion. And the least 
that I can say is, that no one has shown in either argu- 
ment or opinion, more knowledge of the law of the 
case, or more thorough investigation of all the pre- 
cedents bearing upon the questions involved, or more 
accurate citation of the authorities, or a more intelli- 
gent comprehension & use of the principles of law. 

I do not say that he leaves us, a good lawyer con- 
sidering the disadvantage of blindness, but a most 
excellent law^^-er for the time that he has studied law. 
And I have no doubt that his ability and sustained 
energy, will make him a better lawyer every year that 
he lives. 

I therefore commend him, unhesitatingly, to all who 
may need his services ; entirely confident that he will be 
faithful and adequate to every duty, and that, whether 
in a trial at court, or in advising in his office, he will 
satisfy the requirements of any work he undertakes. 

Theophilus Parsons 
Dane Professor of Law in Harvard College. 

Cambridge, June, 1869. 

The above is by no means an overstatement in my 
judgment of the qualifications & attainments of Mr. 
Campbell. 

Emory Washburn, Bussey Prof. 

I fully concur in the above expression of opinion. 

Nathaniel Holmes 
Royall Professor of Law in Harvard Univ. 



78 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

Cambridge — June, 12, 1869. 

My dear Col. Stackpole — 

This note will be handed to you by Mr. Walter 
Campbell, who desires admission to the bar. 

He was deprived of sight many years ago ; and when 
I learned that he proposed studying law, I considered 
it a very questionable matter. 

But he has been in our Law School one year; & I 
have no hesitation in giving it as my opinion that in 
our large school, he has no superior in point of wide 
and accurate knowledge of law. 

His industry and energy are most remarkable. He 
reads of course only by hearing others read; but his 
arrangements, for that purpose, aided by the sym- 
pathy of his fellow-students, have enabled him to 
cover a wider extent of study than is usual even with 
diligent students. His memory is unfailing. What- 
ever he acquires is not only perfectly preserved in his 
mind, but so classed & arranged as to be always ac- 
cessible. 

In all the exercises of the school, arguments, ex- 
aminations, etc. he has always done his full share, & 
no one has done it better. 

I confess to a very earnest desire that he may meet 
no obstacle in his way, & shall regard any assistance 
you can render him, as a personal favor to myself. 

Sincerely y's 
Theophilus Parsons. 



CHAPTER VI 



CHEYENNE 



In August of 1869 Mr. Campbell went to Wyom- 
ing, happy, hopeful, and ready for work. In the 
following June he returned to Salem despondent 
and completely disheartened. Why did this hap- 
pen ? The answer is not easy to find. There are very 
few people now living who were with him in Chey- 
enne. He had little to say to his other friends 
about the time spent there or his reasons for leav- 
ing the Territory. There is a rumor of an "in- 
superable obstacle" to the practice of law. Only 
one definite fact is stated or cause given — his 
inability to read faces in the trial of his cases ; but 
the absence of sight in no way interfered with his 
trial of cases a few years later as Mayor of Youngs- 
town. He jokingly told one of his friends that 
there were not enough ladies in Cheyenne. These 
are the explanations given. They seem inadequate, 
and are in themselves, but a knowledge of the con- 
ditions that he met there and of his temperament, 

79 



8o LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

joined to the few facts that are to be had, gives a 
solution that should be the right one. 

When Governor Campbell arrived in Wyoming 
the previous May, he found the Territory abso- 
lutely without any law or order. The mob ruled. 
Crime was punished by a "Vigilante Committee." 
There was no authority to be obeyed or re- 
spected. There is a story of the Governor's first 
Sunday there. While it may not be absolutely ac- 
curate in detail, it is in the main true, and shows 
the state of things that he found. He had arrived 
in the town the night before. Early on Sunday 
morning he was told that a delegation of citizens 
wanted to pay him their respects and welcome him 
to the Territory. He went down, to meet the worst 
looking set of ruffians he had ever seen. They 
told him that they wanted to celebrate his arrival 
in the Territory, and were about to send to the 
next town for a pugilist to match against their own 
man. But before sending they wanted to know 
how he felt about it. When he did not favor the 
plan they suggested a dog or cock fight. He did 
not care for either of these, so he was asked what he 
would like to do. He suggested going to church, 
to be told that there was no church for miles. They 
finally compromised on a walk. This led them 
through the graveyard. The Governor expressed 



GOVERNOR J. A. CAMPBELL 



CHEYENNE 8i 

surprise at seeing so much shoe leather, and was 
told that it was not worth while to dig deep graves 
for the men that did not die natural deaths. 

These were the conditions that the Governor 
met upon his arrival in May. He at once or- 
ganized the government, opened courts, and set 
about establishing law and order. Still, things 
could not have been very much changed when 
his younger brother followed him three months 
later. 

Accompanied by Mr. J. Loring Brooke, Walter 
Campbell went to Cheyenne in August, 1869, and 
at once opened his law office with Mr. Brooke as 
partner. Mr. Brooke had read law with Judge 
Ambler, and been in partnership with him for 
some months before he left Salem. The tw^o young 
men were friends and had corresponded during the 
winter. Their certificates of admission to the 
bar in the Eastern States served as credentials in 
the new Territory and they were at once free to 
practice their profession. Mr. Brooke acted as 
private secretary to Governor Campbell, as 
well. The first important event for them was 
the appointment of Mr. Campbell as United States 
Commissioner. He served in this capacity during 
the remainder of his time in the Territory. 

With the convening of the first legislature, Mr. 



82 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

Campbell had an opportunity to use his knowledge 
of law in active constructive work. His aid was 
sought by the Governor and the legislators in the 
work of organization and lawmaking that was 
begun. Of such help was he that ten of the thirteen 
members of the Legislature and eight of the nine 
members of the Council sent petitions to the Gover- 
nor asking that he be made Territorial Treasurer. 
These replies were sent by the brothers : 

Executive Department, Wyoming Territory 
Cheyenne, December 4th, 1869. 
Gentlemen — 

I have the pleasure of acknowledging the receipt of 
your letter of this date in reference to the nomination 
of a Territorial Treasurer. 

While I am individually grateful to you for the 
preference you are pleased to express, loyalty to my 
own nominee, and what I believe to be a regard for 
the best interests of the whole Territory compel an 
adherence to the nomination I have already made. 
Very Respectfully, 

Yr Obt Serv't. 
(Signed) J. A. Campbell. 

To 

Hon. G. W. Wardman, Geo. Wilson, Jr., T. W. 
PooLE, T. D. MuRRiN, Wm. S. Rockwell, James 
W. Brady, W. H. Bright. 

Cheyenne Wy. T. 4th Dec. 1869. 
Gentlemen : 

The Governor has just handed me a note from you 
requesting my nomination as Territorial Treasurer. 



CHEYENNE 83 

While I cannot sufRciently express my appreciation of 
this mark of confidence, I feel unwilling under all the 
circumstances of the case to allow my name to be 
proposed for the office. The Governor has already 
made known his preference. For his nominations 
and appointments he is and must be held responsible, 
and I am sure you will think with me that I of all 
persons ought to be farthest from desiring to take 
away or weaken this responsibility. 

Allow me gentlemen again to assure you that for 
this honor you have done me, coming as it does un- 
sought and unasked, I am grateful more than I can 
tell. 

I am Very Respectfully, 

Yr. obt. svt. 

W. L. Campbell. 

To the Honorable G. W. Wardman, Geo. Wilson, Jr., 
T. W. Poole, T. D. Murrin, Wm. S. Rockwell, 
James W. Brady, W. H. Bright, President of 
Council. 

The Governor had two reasons for his refusal. 
The one was that given — loyalty to his nominee; 
the other was a desire to avoid any suspicion of 
nepotism. This is the short record of Walter 
Campbell's work during his Western winter. His 
brothers, Newton and Amasa, as well as Allen, were 
in the vicinity, and he took some little trips through 
the Territory in their company. He seems to have 
had few other friends. During this winter he kept 
up a correspondence with Salem, and a number of 



84 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

letters are found from schoolgirl friends telling 
all about the doings of their older sisters. These 
Christmas letters were sent by him to two of the 
Boyle girls : 

Walter L. Campbell to Miss Margaret Boyle 

Cheyenne, Dec. 28th, 1869. 

My dear Mag, 

I hope you all had a merry Christmas, plenty of 
presents and a lively time. I suppose your Christmas 
tree flourished as usual and all the good old customs 
were observed. I am sorry that I was not there 
immediately before Christmas to find out what you 
and Mamie were making for each other and excite 
your ire by telling. I might have written however if 
my goodness had been overcome by malice for Mother 
wrote me that Mamie had been up to our house work- 
ing on something for you, the difficulty was, she did 
not tell me what it was. I hope Mamie enjoyed her 
letter. How do you think I succeed on literary stilts? 
I shall never cease regarding it as a subject of congratu- 
lation that I got through some parts of that letter 
without getting my soaring neck broke. Well if I 
get letters I suppose I must write them, and if I write 
them I suppose I must say something, and if I say 
something there must be something to be said, and if 
there is nothing to be said, why what shall I do? I 
don't know, do you? I suppose Al will be in Salem 
before this letter. By the way how soon may we 
look for you in Wyoming? Your always great anx- 
iety to vote led me to believe that you would be out 
here before this time, but there is no particular hurry 



CHEYENNE 85 

as there is no election before next September and only 
three months previous residence is required. The 
latter part of May then or the first of June will do. 
The effect of this move will doubtless be to people the 
mountains every summer with the strong minded, who 
will return in the Autimm. Of course they will only 
come out here to enjoy the pure air and the scenery 
hereabouts. If accidentalh^ one of them should be 
desired for member of Congress or of the legislature 
or an}^ other office in the gift of the people, there will 
be doubtless no objection to accepting it, although be 
it all the time understood no one came out here w4th 
an}^ such object in view. 

Remember me to the Brainard girls. Tell Mother 
that my health is not complainable that everything 
is going along smoothly. I shall write to her in a da}^ 
or two. I hope you and Mamie will write me soon, 
telling me all the news and gossip. A happy new year 
to you all. 

Your friend 

Walter L. Campbell. 

Walter L. Campbell to Miss Mary Boyle 

Cheyenne, December 29th, 1869. 

My dear Mamie: 

IMy wakefulness a night or two ago led my idle mus- 
ings into very strange paths, the doors and windows 
of the chambers of memory were broken open or 
knocked out and I entered. Sweeping down the 
cobwebs, brushing away the dust that years had ac- 
cumulated I had revealed the stores the trash, the 



86 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

trinkets, the treasures the heapings up of years. Deep 
and deeper I dived descending into the very caverns 
and lowest bottoms of my recollection, startling by 
my visits owls with their "blue fringed lids" and bats 
hating the light, and gibbering demons, grimacing 
goblins and all the vile winged and creeping things 
and dreadful shadowy images which were as represen- 
tations of my wickedness and follies. Can nothing 
be revealed to my prying curiosity but these intellectual 
gorgons and hydras and chimeras dire? Can this 
delving into memories mine bring up nothing more 
desirable than these? 

How different too, man}'- of them seem from when 
I first beheld them. Those that were now black with 
awful crimes once shone as virtues or at most danced 
as mere moats in the sunlight of truth. If my recol- 
lection can bring to contemplation no more cheering 
thoughts, let the curtain of oblivion be forever drawn. 
Let one drop from Lethes silent stream touch me with 
eternal forgetfulness. But hark ! A song harmonious 
with many voices pierces the thoughtful gloom as the 
morning light, the night. Struck with consternation 
the portentous shapes and shadows to their lurking 
places fly: to their secret recesses and undiscovered 
nooks the grizzly terrors and grim horrors speed. 
Nearer, sweeter merrier, happier, comes the strain. 
And now in full view passes a bright procession with 
gems and gold and garlands decked, with toys and 
picture books — the blessed fruits of a Christmas day — 
a troop of happy children. There are then in the 
past bright spots and these bright spots are Christ- 
mases. This is a very admirable introduction to the 
history I am about to relate, somewhat personal in 
its character it is true, of the various places and 



CHEYENNE 87 

times (generally the 25th Dec.) and manners in which 
I have spent Christmas. 

For the first eight 5^ears of my life it was spent as 
nearly as I can remember at home. True at one of 
them, the last of the eight, I was four miles below 
Lisbon sick nigh unto death . It has I have understood 
been a matter of regret to all those whose good for- 
tune it was to know me that it was not my last. 
This ma}^ be described as the period of tin horses toy 
wagons and dogs that barked, lead teapots that 
imitated the canary bird, of india rubber lions and 
fishes, of all such things that make glad the heart of 
childhood. The next nine years the delights of Christ- 
mas were experienced with the exception of one, the 
second, at Coltimbus. This is the era of twenty-five 
cent editions of Milton's "Paradise Lost," Pollock's 
"Course of Time," and Young's "Night Thoughts." 
In those days a great many friends could be supplied 
with these most elegant presents at a ver}' small cost, 
and it was really interesting to see what zealous lovers 
all the striplings were of English Classics, all because 
they were cheap. No one so far as I knew read these 
books until years afterwards and I am sure that if he 
did he experienced a very small benefit from them. 
On these Christmases also I think I occasionally ex- 
changed daguerreotypes. Indeed I am quite sure I 
did for I have a very distinct recollection of working 
very hard to take some three or four out of their cases 
and thoroughly scratching them and throwing them 
away, the case of one of them I have yet, quite as 
valuable to me without as with a picture. Full of 
pleasure as nearly all of these Christmases were there 
is one to which my thoughts recur with an overwhelm- 
ing regret, it was a regular conscience stinger. It 



88 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

used to be our custom at the Institution for the Blind 
at Columbus to get up at four or five o'clock on 
Christmas morning and with orchestra and choir 
serenade the officers of the Institution. The Christ- 
mas referred to came on Monday. All Sunday even- 
ing and night was spent in laborious business, clear up 
to the attic were carried barrels, stovepipes and I am 
not sure but old stoves themselves everything that 
would roll or make a noise and piled up at the head 
of the fourth flight of stairs. There were I think two 
or three old drums among the things thus accimiulated. 
No one among the band of rioters slept that night. 
About two or three o'clock in the morning "borne 
through the hollow dark" assaulted the ears of all 
good people with loudest vehemence the noise as of 
thunders near at hand starting at the top of the fourth 
story, rolling, tumbling banging, crashing, clear to the 
bottom went box and barrel and drum and stovepipe 
and stove, all the while the musical horsefiddle and the 
watcliman's rattle played their lovely accompani- 
ment. So long as the row continued every one was 
safe enough. It was impossible for any lover of good 
order, a kind teacher for instance, without losing his 
life to come near the stairs. It will however be evi- 
dent on a moment's reflection that the largest collec- 
tion of such instrimients of evil must in time give out, 
and when they would it was altogether certain that he 
who was caught would be in a pretty bad fix, when 
therefore the last of the pile was started to its destina- 
tion with hot haste we scampered for our beds & here 
it was that I made two mistakes. In the first place 
I didn't go to my own bed and in the second place I 
didn't take my pants off. When the officer came 
around and asked me what I was doing there I told 



CHEYENNE 89 

him that I thought I would sleep there that night but 
seeing my suspenders over my shoulders (which I 
neglected to cover) he remarked that it was doubtful 
about my being able to rest well with my pants on and 
that I had better get up and go down stairs with him. 
Remonstrance was useless so I resolved to avail my- 
self of his kind hospitality and show myself grateful 
for his interest in my welfare. Going down stairs 
was by no means an easy undertaking, banisters were 
in places knocked away, subjecting one to the danger 
of timibling head foremost some thirty or forty feet 
into the hall below. The footing was rather bad in 
a number of places the plastering covered the steps 
rather than the walls. Nevertheless "I so endured" 
till I reached the lower floor and was led defeated and 
disconsolate by the triumphftnt official into the very 
presence of the grand mogul himself, .the Superin- 
tendent of the School. I wasn't expelled ifor yet sus- 
pended but got a very good lecture which I do not 
remember and forfeited my Christmas candy which I 
do remember. We are now come to what I was going 
to call the third class of Christmases, that expression 
hpwever would be improper as they will not admit 
of classification. To classify to raise by successive 
comparisons and recognitions of similarity from the 
individual to the general, from a single percept to a 
comprehensive concept — to perceive in the almost 
boundless variety and diversity in the infinitude of 
incongruities of natural objects, the magnificent plan — 
the wonderful system — the constant approaching 
toward unity which carried to perfection will bring 
us into the very presence of the beatific vision, to do 
this I say is regarded as the highest achievement of 
hirnian understanding. If it be and I do not doubt it, 



90 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

I am sure you will be surprised perhaps cruelly disap- 
pointed that in the present instance I do not at least 
endeavor to reach these high planes of intellectual 
attainment but in such a variety of places and in such 
a variety of ways have these Christmases of the latter 
time been passed that it is impossible to describe them 
in general language. The first of these was spent 
in Philadelphia on which about ten or eleven o'clock 
in the morning my slumbers were disturbed by the 
announcement that some one wanted to see me, and 
as I was coming down stairs still rubbing my eyes I 
was met by Jim and Mary Brown with news jelly cake 
and gingersnaps from home and Salem. The rest 
were long to tell, sometimes at Salem sometimes on 
the banks of the Scioto and now in hearing of Atlantic 
waves as they lash the rocky shores of New England, 
have these joyous and joyful days visited me with 
their delights. By this introduction and retrospect 
if I have been successful you are prepared to read 
understandingly an account of my first Christmas in 
the shadows of the Rocky Mountains. It may to you 
seem strange that all the foregoing was necessary for 
this, but a moment's reflection will teach you that 
nothing stands alone. If it had not been for those 
former Christmases this could not have been, were it 
not for the twin egg Homer would never have sung of 
Troy and its fall. Last Saturday, then was this Christ- 
mas. The sky was clear, the sun shone bright and the 
wind which for many days previous had been blowing 
almost a hurricane had lulled to calm. So nature did 
all she could to make this a day of peace and goodwill, 
fit emblem of what it was, and that is about all that 
I have to say of this my first Christmas in Cheyenne. 
True an invitation was accepted to eat turkey with 



CHEYENNE 91 

Gen. Lee Secretary of the Territory in which I suc- 
ceeded as I generally do inimitably. There was also 
to be a taffy pulling at his house in the evening, but 
wonderful to say, an hour or two transformed it to 
a dance. I was the musician. To the best of my 
recollection I received no presents nor did I make any. 
This I believe is all that I know of Christmases past or 
present or at least all that I care to tell. 
Yours truly 

Walter L. Campbell. 

These imaginary "press notices" were enclosed 
with the letter: 

Notices of the Press 

We publish this morning a chapter from the auto- 
biography of W. L. Campbell from the advance sheets 
furnished the press by the publishers. It is said and 
as calamities never come alone we half believe the 
tale that there is a whole book of just such stuff how- 
ever inconceivable it may be that one brain should be 
the source of so much folly. Who the autobiographer 
is no one knows and what is quite as much to the pur- 
pose no one cares. This class of literary productions is 
generally worthless and this can scarcely be regarded 
as attaining to the ordinary level. 

From the "N. Y. Grindstone," June 15th, 1881. 

Awake fools and be glad, rejoice and be merry, 
shout and be comforted for your time is come when 
such autobiographies as this find their way into print. 
This is all the criticism we care to make. 

From the "Crusher," June 14th, 1881. 



92 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

The chapter we publish this morning from the ad- 
vance sheets, if it fitly represents the book ought to 
disgrace all parties connected with it. It is conceived 
of a morbid fancy executed with marvellous stupidity 
and given to the world by a conceit that is scarcely 
comprehensible. The object in its publication as far 
as we have been able to discover it is to shock the 
sensitive and disgust the sensible. If such things 
continue to be inflicted on the reading public, let pub- 
lishing houses be closed, presses destroyed and reading 
cease to be taught in the schools. Surely these are 
degenerate times and we must soon expect to hear 
the wail long and loud over the decay of good taste, 
on the destruction of art and the death of literature. 
From the "Great American Howler," July i6th, 1881. 

The chapter we publish this morning promises to 
the world a rare treat. Such rare combinations of 
fancy and fact are not often met. The splendors of a 
poetic imagination here to be found are only equaled 
by the simple grandeur and magnetic power of the 
prose. 

From the "Boston Adjutator," June i6th, 1881. 

While in Cheyenne, Mr. Campbell served as or- 
ganist and took much interest in its little Congre- 
gational church. An incident in connection with 
it had a permanent influence on his attitude to- 
ward "Home Missions" and the organizing of 
churches in the West. When Gov. Campbell 
arrived in Cheyenne, being a Presbjrterian, he 
asked the railroad company to give some lots for a 



CHEYENNE 93 

Presbyterian church. The request was granted. 
The Congregationalists were the first in the field, 
however, and organized their church. The church 
thrived and ministered to the spiritual needs of 
the little community. If left to itself in time it 
would have become self-supporting. But it was 
not. A Presbyterian missionary visited the town, 
and on the strength of the lots that had been given, 
started a Presbyterian church. As a result there 
were two struggling churches instead of one strong 
one. This was a circumstance that strengthened 
him in his feeling that much of the Christianity of 
the churches did not ring true. He was so open 
and honest himself that anything that savored 
of hypocrisy was hateful to him. Afterward, 
whenever he heard a report of the number of 
churches that had been established within a cer- 
tain time, his first thought was, "How many other 
churches have been injured to bring about this 
result?" Though he was told that the practice 
of breaking into the fields of other congregations 
had been abandoned, he never lost his distrust. 
An opinion once formed was hard to change. 
When he trusted, he trusted wholly, and vice 
versa. He was never lukewarm in his sympathies. 
This characteristic of his was the cause of some of 
his disappointments later on. 



94 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

Returning to his life in Cheyenne and his rea- 
sons for leaving it, we can see the effect of his high- 
strung disposition. He was either up or down, 
never on middle ground. He went to Wyoming 
after the most wonderful winter of his life. The 
days had been filled with hard work along con- 
genial lines. There had been keen intellectual 
companionship. A satisfactory system of theol- 
ogy and philosophy had banished the old doubts. 
There had been music and the drama. Every- 
thing had combined to satisfy his needs, to stimu- 
late his mind. In Cheyenne, how different it all 
was! His brothers were there, but aside from 
them there was little companionship, and there 
was nothing else. Other men could have filled 
in the hours with reading, but the supply of books 
in the raised type was very small. There was his 
profession, it is true, but his cases were petty 
criminal ones, with little interest for his type of 
mind. And with these cases he met with an un- 
expected difficulty. He could not read the faces. 
He could not seize the clue that a look on a wit- 
ness's face often gives the examiner. He could not 
tell the effect that the testimony had upon the 
jur^Tnen as the case progressed. He felt that the 
absence of sight was an insuperable obstacle and 
became discouraged. The change from the life 



CHEYENNE 95 

of culture to primitive conditions had been too 
abrupt. There were too many long, empty hours 
in which to think about the "obstacle." It grew 
and grew and he decided to go home. When he 
stopped in Columbus on his way to Salem he gave 
as his reason for returning, "There were not enough 
ladies there." Accompanied by his brother, the 
Governor, he left Cheyenne the first of June, 1870, 
his partner having returned a few weeks earlier. 

A very different man returned from the West 
from the one that had set out so hopefully less 
than a year before. Heartsick and discouraged 
there seemed to be nothing in life for him. He had 
been so sure of his success with the law, and had 
overcome so many other obstacles, that it had 
not seemed possible that he could fail. With his 
return all was changed. Hope was past. His 
despair reached untold depths. A weaker man 
would have given up to it. As it was, he spent his 
days in repeating Milton and Dante. He fre- 
quently made his way to the Boyle homestead, 
and going in without speaking to anyone, lay 
down on a couch. Here he would be found say- 
ing over these verses to himself. The kind friends 
took him as he was. They never expressed sur- 
prise at anything he said or did, or inquired how 
long he had been there alone. His little friend 



96 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

Mamie sang to him one hymn after another until 
her stock was exhausted, only to hear him murmur, 
"Another hour gone." 

After some months he conquered his despair 
and did with this first great disappointment what 
he did with those that came later — put it behind 
him and forgot it. To those who were close to 
him in after life, he seems never to have spoken 
of the time in Wyoming as disappointing. It was 
past. The incident was closed. The power he 
gained of burying misfortune was one of the 
greatest sources of strength that he had. With- 
out it he would have been a sad and bitter man, 
instead of the cheerful, happy one remembered by 
his friends. After all, perhaps this experience was 
worth while. 



CHAPTER VII 

POLITICS AND JOURNALISM 

After the period of depression following his 
return from Cheyenne, Mr. Campbell began to 
consider what occupation he should pursue and 
where he should pursue it. He made frequent 
visits to the home of his sister in Youngstown, 
twenty miles from Salem, where Mr. McMillan 
was superintendent of the pubHc schools. Even 
then Youngstown was the larger and the more 
flourishing of the two towns and offered a broader 
field of opportunity than Salem, which he never 
seems to have considered as a permanent resi- 
dence. As a natural consequence he settled upon 
Youngstown, and it is there that most of his life 
was passed. 

Youngstown is situated in the northeastern 
comer of Ohio, midway between Cleveland and 
Pittsburg. After Cleveland it is the largest city 
in the Western Reserve. It is important on ac- 
count of its large manufacturing interests, having 
7 97 



98 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

many other industries beside the iron and steel, of 
which it is a center. In the early seventies when 
Mr. Campbell went there, it had, as well, a number 
of coal mines of some importance. Then, as now, 
it was industrially busy, with an established place 
in the world of commerce. Its various activities 
made it prominent, too, from a political standpoint, 
and even before this Mr. Campbell had done a 
certain amount of campaign speaking. Politics, 
law, and journalism were in his mind when he went 
to Youngstown in 1871. Along with these things 
he served as organist in the First Presb5rterian 
Church, had a few music pupils at first, took 
up lecturing again and addressed audiences both 
in Youngstown and elsewhere. These were only 
side issues, however, not first interests. 

He soon made friends in Youngstown, and with 
these friends many of the events of his after life 
were connected closely. Sidney Strong, whom he 
had known so well in Hudson, was already prac- 
ticing law there when he arrived. Thomas H. 
Wilson and he found each other congenial. They 
had similar tastes in literature and spent many 
hours together in reading. It was customary on 
Sunday afternoons for Walter (he was "Walter" 
to everyone in Youngstown) to drop into the Wil- 
son home. Mr. Wilson would read aloud until 



POLITICS AND JOURNALISM 99 

supper time. After supper they went to church 
together, returning to the house afterward to 
resume their book. The two men who were 
closest to him during his years in Youngstown were 
Robert McCurdy and J. Harris McEwen. More 
will be said about them later on. The three men 
were constant associates, connected in business as 
well as socially, and the life of no one of them 
would be complete without more than passing 
mention of the others. It was a threefold friend- 
ship and a very strong one. 

On his arrival in Youngstown, Mr. Campbell 
did not open a law office. The court house was 
then in Canfield and it was this fact, coupled with 
his general feeling of discouragement over trying 
to practice law, that kept him from doing so. He 
did a certain amount of legal work, however. He 
was in frequent consultation with some of the lead- 
ing lawyers of the community, and he undoubtedly 
employed himself considerably with his profession. 
For the law was his profession, and he always 
thought and spoke of it as such even after he had 
abandoned it and turned his efforts into other 
channels. 

It was to journalism, however, that he gave the 
best energies of the next ten years of his life. In 
September, 1871, he was made "special corre- 



100 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

spondent" of the Cleveland Leader, sending a 
weekly letter signed "Camp." In the following 
January he received this letter from Mr, Frank 
H. Mason, connected with the paper : 

Cleveland, O., Jan. 20, 1872. 

My dear Mr. Campbell: 

I shall be down again this week. The best ar- 
rangement I can secure for you with our people is two 
dollars a letter or about a hundred $ a year. 

This is double what we pay any other correspond- 
ent and though no great sum it is a good rate as prices 
go in the newspaper world. I hope to get you some- 
thing to do for the Cincinnati Commercial though I 
have not yet heard from Mr. Halstead on the subject. 
Yours very truly, 

F. H. Mason. 

In March we find a letter from William Henry 
Smith appointing him correspondent for the dis- 
trict of the Western Associated Press. Two years 
later he invested twenty-three hundred dollars 
in the Mahoning Register, of which he became 
owner of a third interest and editor in chief. The 
Register was an old established Republican paper. 
Associated with him in this enterprise were Messrs. 
C. A. Vaughn and A. R. Seagrave. They were 
men of Httle force, and Mr. Campbell was really 
the controlling partner. 

So closely connected were his newspaper and 



POLITICS AND JOURNALISM loi 

his political life that now we must turn to his ac- 
tivities in the field of politics. He was a Republi- 
can, and from his college days well acquainted with 
the State leaders of his party. In February, 1872, 
he wrote an open letter to Carl Schurz that at- 
tracted a good deal of attention, and first brought 
him into public notice. Its theme was the danger 
incident to allowing foreign-born citizens to hold 
important political offices. 

1872 was the year of the Ohio Constitutional 
Convention and it was a very natural thing for 
him to seek the office of delegate to it. It was 
work for which his studies and his experience in 
Wyoming had fitted him. He was defeated for 
the nomination by one vote. As soon as the re- 
sult was announced he rose and gracefully moved 
that the nomination of his opponent be made 
unanimous. 

A few months later came the Grant and Wilson 
Presidential campaign. He threw himself into 
the thick of it, making many speeches both for 
these candidates and for the Congressional nomi- 
nee. Major L. D. Woodworth. 

With his editorship of the Register he was 
able to do still more work for his party. It was 
a well-known paper when he went into it and he 
soon raised it to greater prominence. In character, 



102 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

he and it were one. A few months after he be- 
came interested in the Register, the Tribune was 
started as a morning daily. Thereupon he made 
the Register, then a weekly, into a daily. It was 
published in the evening. The town could not 
support two daily papers, indeed there was doubt 
about her being ready for one, the experienced 
newspaper men saying not, so the two papers com- 
bined in the following February. The new paper 
was called the Register and Tribune. In it the 
Tribune was allowed two more shares of stock 
than the Register. This was controlled, if not 
entirely owned, by Judge J. R. Johnson, who 
became the largest stockholder. Mr. Campbell 
continued as editor in chief. 

The Register and Tribune soon attained a fore- 
most place among the newspapers of the State, 
and was the leading one of its own section. Its 
political influence was large. It was absolutely 
honest and straightforward, perfectly fearless, 
and when there was a question of right and wrong 
involved, merciless and relentless. Had it been 
more tactful, less strong in its denunciations of 
men and of policies that it thought harmful either 
to the city or to the nation, it would have been a 
greater success financially ; but such a paper could 
not have been run by Walter Campbell. He could 



POLITICS AND JOURNALISM 103 

not see or take a middle course. The very thing 
that made his paper a power in the community 
made it enemies and strong ones at that. In look- 
ing over the files of the newspaper, one is struck at 
once with the importance of the editorial columns. 
Of its four pages a large part of one is taken by 
the editor. Here events and questions of the day 
are discussed clearly and carefully. 

The first question of national importance that 
came under the pen of the new editor was that of 
Greenbackism and the resumption of specie pay- 
ments. He now made practical use of his study 
of economics in his editorials in favor of "hard 
money. " He saw the necessity of having a sound 
financial system, and worked hard for it. With 
the country'- in the grip of the "greenback craze, " 
the resumptionists had the unpopular side, and 
his paper lost money by its stand. He made out 
a strong case, however, and did much toward 
bringing the Republican party of his section into 
synipathy with the idea, and towards its success 
in the following campaigns. This interest in 
finance continued until the close of his life. It is 
the political question to which he gave the most 
careful study, and thought. For the next twenty- 
five years the currency question (a little later it 
was the "silver question") was uppermost in his 



104 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

mind and he worked on it between campaigns as 
well as in the heat of them by talking, speaking, 
and writing. 

In the campaign of 1875 when "inflation" was 
the chief issue, it is doubtful if Hayes would have 
defeated his opponent, Governor Allen, for the 
Governorship had not the attention of the public 
been diverted to the minor issue of the " Pope's 
Toe," which had to do with the Roman Catholic 
parochial schools. This kept many Republican 
inflationists, who otherwise would have bolted 
the ticket, inside the party. Mr. Campbell 
felt that this diversion was unwise because it 
arrayed class against class and might help to es- 
tablish a dangerous precedent. He was opposed 
to anything that would array one group of people 
against another, feeling that it was un-American 
in spirit. The country must be held together by 
strong national principles and not divided by petty 
jealousies, animosities, or sectional strifes. Here 
was the great danger in the influx of foreigners, 
and the utmost should be done to educate the 
strangers to the fundamentals on which the nation 
rested, taking care not to foster any prejudices 
that they might have brought with them from 
their native lands. 

The campaign of 1875 had an important local 



POLITICS AND JOURNALISM 105 

issue. This was that of the "Courthouse Re- 
moval" as it was called. When Mahoning and 
Trumbull Counties were separated, Canfield was 
made the county seat of the new county, Mahon- 
ing. As the years went on and Canfield was a 
sleepy little village and Youngstown a thriving 
manufacturing town, the leading one of the county, 
it seemed to its citizens that it was properly the 
county seat, and steps were taken to have it so 
made. In order to accomplish this, a fusion party 
was formed in 1873. With the other " Removal- 
ists, " Mr. Campbell joined in the contest to elect 
"fusion" candidates that would work for this 
issue. The matter was brought up in the legisla- 
ture and the measure changing the county seat 
passed. The man most influential in bringing 
about this result was Chauncey Andrews. Mr. 
Andrews subscribed a large sum of money, himself, 
helped in raising more, made a trip to Columbus, 
and but for his efforts the act would not have been 
passed. In the summer of 1875 the money for the 
new courthouse had been raised, the building was 
nearly finished, and the only thing that could stand 
in the way of the removal of the county records 
was a decision of the courts declaring invalid the 
"Removal Act" of the State Legislature. The 
question was out of the hands of the lawmakers 



io6 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

and to Mr. Campbell and to others it seemed that 
the Fusion party had served its purpose, was no 
longer of use, and should be dropped. It was a 
critical time for the Republican party and he felt 
that for the best interests both of his city and of 
his party there should be a local Republican ticket 
in the field. It was largely due to his work that a 
Republican ticket was nominated. In this he was 
in opposition to Mr. Andrews, and aroused his 
hostility. There may have been ill-feeling be- 
tween the two men still earlier, but this is the first 
record that can be found of the open strife that 
continued until the winter of 1882 when Mr. 
Campbell was finally forced out of his editorial 
chair and left without occupation and in debt. 
It is characteristic of him that he never told the 
story of the conflict to either of his children. He 
would not hand down to them any feeling of bitter- 
ness or of animosity. If there be any trace of it 
in this record the blame must not rest upon his 
shoulders, for not one detail was related by him. 
It has been pieced together by a careful study of 
the files of his paper, some old letters, recollec- 
tions of his associates and of his opponents as 
well, and a very few answers given by his wife to 
a questioning daughter. 

Chauncey H. Andrews was a strong man — one 



POLITICS AND JOURNALISM 107 

of the strongest that Youngstown has ever pro- 
duced. Self-made, self-reliant, and self-willed, he 
brooked no opposition. More forceful than re- 
fined, his methods showed more of the bulldozer 
than of the conciliator. He had amassed quite a 
fortune but he prized power more than he coveted 
money. His associates, with few exceptions, were 
as lieutenants; his bidding was the rule of action. 
As counsel he had some of the leading lawyers of 
the community — men of keen intellect and skilled 
in legal practice. 

The first man to oppose himself to Mr. Andrews 
was Robert McCurdy. Mr. McCurdy was a man 
of the highest character and integrity and it is 
not surprising that the two men clashed. Mr. 
McCurdy and Mr. Andrews had been at odds for 
some time before 1875, so it is not at all unlikely 
that Mr. Campbell had been involved in his 
friend's quarrel before this campaign. From this 
time on the two friends worked shoulder to 
shoulder against the man, who, they firmly be- 
lieved, was corrupt in his practices and trying to 
gain control of the city government for his own 
selfish advancement and against the public welfare. 
As a result the town was divided into two opposing 
factions between which, at times, feeling ran very 
high. 



io8 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

In 1875 the Register and Tribune charged that 
Mr. Andrews was keeping up the Fusion party 
for the sole purpose of electing tools of his own to 
the offices of Member of the State Legislature, 
Probate Judge, and County Commissioner, and 
that in the previous year he had tried to secure 
the nomination on the Fusion ticket of a County 
Commissioner who would "support the Basin St. 
bridge, which meant thousands of dollars to 
Andrews." In other words, the Court House 
Removal question was a blind. Mr. Andrews 
controlled the Vindicator, the Democratic weekly 
of Youngstown, and carried on a campaign of 
personal abuse. At the end of it Mr. Campbell, 
who had been speaking as well as writing, was 
utterly exhausted. He felt that his own reputa- 
tion was at stake and took it all very much to 
heart. He was never able to take anything of the 
sort lightly, and at this time even went so far as to 
make some efforts to sell his interest in the paper. 
The Republican party won in the State campaign 
and the Fusion in the county. Results proved 
that Mr. Campbell was right in his contention 
that the Court House Removal question could be 
settled only by the courts, and in the summer of 
1 876 the records were moved to Youngstown, where- 
upon he inserted the following editorial in his paper : 




ROBERT McCURDY 



POLITICS AND JOURNALISM 109 

Honor to Whom Honor is Due 

It is but just to C. H. Andrews to say that to him 
more than to any other man the success of Removal is 
due. It was largely his energy and tact that secured 
the passage of the enabling act, and it was his in- 
domitable perseverance that pushed the buildings 
through to completion. He had the nerve to sign the 
contract and become individually responsible for the 
large siun required for their erection. He is still held, 
we understand, for a large amount, though the guar- 
antee bond will secure him against loss, eventually. 
Others have played an earnest and an active part in 
the work of Removal, and contributed in proportion 
to their means, perhaps, as generously towards it, 
but his spirit has been controlling from the first, and, 
as we said before, to him more than to anyone else is 
due the consummation. This we say because we 
believe justice requires it. We have animadverted 
sharply on his political course because we were con- 
fident that he was wrong, but we have never ques- 
tioned his fidelity to Removal, and we thus record our 
opinion as to the value of his services to Youngstown. 
{Youngstown Register and Tribune, August 14, 1876.) 

In January, 1876, Gen. J. A. Campbell having 
resigned his position as Governor of Wyoming and 
gone to the national capital as Third Assistant 
Secretary of State, his brother Walter went to 
Washington to spend some months with him. 
While there he wrote a book entitled, Our 
Sovereign's Characteristics. It was a political 



no LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

forecast of events, purporting to be written in the 
year 19 lo. It showed the result if the popular 
tendencies toward inflation, commercialism, pa- 
ternalism, railroad rule, and the arraying of class 
against class were not checked. It opposed the 
party caucus, with its policy of forcing individual 
legislators to vote with the majority, and is the 
first sign of his own restiveness under party rule. 
The work was never published. During this 
winter he was frequently at the White House, and 
renewed and extended his acquaintance with many 
prominent public men. After visiting Philadelphia 
and New York, Mr. Campbell returned to Youngs- 
town the last of April and resumed his editorial 
work. During his absence he had sent letters to 
his paper dealing with events in Washington. 

In the early part of the campaign of 1876 an 
incident occurred illustrative of Mr. Campbell's 
complete disregard of his own interests when a 
question of principle was concerned. A man 
was nominated on the Republican ticket whom he 
could not support conscientiously, and against 
whom he had made a hard fight in the nominating 
convention. His paper was the Republican organ 
and bound to support the ticket, and he and his 
paper were so closely identified that it might be 
said that he was the paper. Everything that he 



POLITICS AND JOURNALISM in 

had was invested there. If he withdrew from it 
he would be out of employment and with no 
capital to reinvest. Furthermore, he was engaged 
to be married. The day after the convention that 
nominated Judge Servis, he informed his fiancee 
that he had called a meeting of the Youngstown 
Printing Company which published the Register and 
Tribune in order to present his resignation. It was 
not only a question of private interest, but it was 
probably the first time that he had to make an open 
choice between following his own convictions and 
supporting a party candidate. These clippings tell 
the story and how the matter was arranged. 

A Letter 

The following letter has been handed to us with a 
communication requesting that we publish it. It was 
used in a case pending in Columbiana county. It was 
the case of Meek against Chamberlain and others, in 
which it was sought to hold Mrs. Lee, with Judge 
Servis as a partner, in the Leetonia Banking Com- 
pany. The letter has been in Democratic mouths, and 
threats were made that it would be used after the 
nomination in case the choice fell on Judge Servis. 
He was at the time it was written a United State Judge 
in Montana Territory. The character of those who 
make the request would almost compel us to publish, 
but Judge Servis is entitled to know what is being used 
against him, and the Republican party is entitled to 
an explanation of the letter from its most prominent 



112 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

candidate for the judgeship. We hope by to-morrow 
evening to have a communication from Judge Servis 
that will satisfy every fair-minded man : 

(Copy) 

Virginia City, Montana Territory, 

April 24, 1873. 

Mrs. Anna E. Lee, Randolph, N. Y. 

Madam: My wife writes me that you and I have 
been sued by some of the creditors of the Leetonia 
Banking Company, and I write you to say that the 
only evidence that exists that can make you liable I 
have in my possession, which consists of your letters 
and receipts to Mr. Cowden, and the drafts he issued 
to you for your dividends, and your statements to 
me; these I do not now propose to surrender or further 
reveal. 

The creditors have already got all there was of the 
bank and every dollar's worth of my individual property 
beyond exemption and if you are to be made liable, 
I believe from what I have seen and heard of you that 
you would rather contribute to my poor family than 
to the general creditors of the Leetonia Banking 
Company. I expect to return to my home at Canfield, 
Ohio, about the last of May next, to remain about one 
month, and shall be pleased to hear from you there. 
Respectfully your friend, 

F. G. Servis. 
(Youngstown Register and Tribune, July 5, 1876.) 

A Card to the Public 

The public is not specially interested in my personal 
views, and I have rarely, if ever, troubled it with 



POLITICS AND JOURNALISM 113 

them. Inasmuch, however, as I have hitherto been 
held responsible for what appears in the Register and 
Tribune, I think it due to myself to say that I cannot 
support the Republican Nominee for Judge in this 
sub-division. I do not see my way clear through his 
letter, though accompanied with his explanation, 
which was satisfactory to three-fourths of the Repub- 
lican Convention, composed of men doubtless more 
honest than I. The paper belongs to the Youngstown 
Printing Company, and the Republican party, and 
will stand by the Warren Nomination. I, however, 
although always a Republican, cannot do it. 

W. L. Campbell. 
(Youngstown Register and Tribune, July 11, 1876.) 

Letter from Walter L. Campbell 

Editor Salem Republican: 

Dear Sir: Ordinarily I try to take criticisms 
upon my political course philosophically, disregarding 
what is unjust and endeavoring to profit by what is 
reasonable. I trust that you will not regard as un- 
natural the anxiety not to be misunderstood in Salem. 
There, at least, I desire not to be misrepresented. In 
the Republican that has just come to hand, however, 
I find you give place to my card and accompany it 
with the charge that I oppose a Republican nominee 
for Judge in this subdivision of the Ninth Judicial 
District because he beat a Youngstown lawyer in the 
convention. This does me great injustice. My ob- 
jections to Judge Servis do not arise from his residence 
in Canfield, nor yet are they personal. Neither place 
of residence, nor personal relations would prevent 

8 



114 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

my supporting any reasonable nomination made by 
the Republican party. You know that for the sake 
of that party in this county the Register and Tribune, 
as well as myself, personally, received as much abuse 
as could well be condensed into one four months' 
campaign, and if you doubt it you may inquire of any 
well informed Republican in the townships of Mahon- 
ing County that surround you. Let me state by way 
of justifying myself in my course to my friends among 
the Republican readers my reasons for declining to 
support Judge Servis. He was sued with others, 
among them a Mrs. Lee, as partners in the Leetonia 
Banking Company by the general creditors of the 
concern after its failure. Now when Judge Servis was 
informed that suit had been begun, he was sitting as 
a United States District Judge, holding court in Vir- 
ginia City, Montana territory. Upon receiving the 
information that he had been sued with Mrs. Lee, he 
wrote to her the letter to which reference was made in 
the card you published from the Register and Tribune. 
This letter which he admits he wrote is susceptible 
of only three possible interpretations. It may mean 
that he was willing to suppress evidence in a lawsuit 
for a contribution to his "poor family," and thus 
swindle creditors out of their dues, or it may mean 
that he was willing to suppress evidence for a contri- 
bution to his "poor family, " and thus shield a debtor 
from paying her honest debts, or it may mean that 
he was willing to suppress evidence for a contribution 
to his "poor family" wholly regardless as to how 
his conduct will affect anybody but himself. Now I 
submit that any man who could offer for a considera- 
tion to suppress evidence when he was called upon in a 
Judicial proceeding to tell not only the truth, but the 



POLITICS AND JOURNALISM 115 

whole truth on his oath, is not fit to be supported for a 
place on the bench by anyone who has the least regard 
for the purity of the Judiciary. If such a letter, writ- 
ten by any man would be so reprehensible, how much 
more is it when written by one who was at the time 
on the bench? The sequel to this letter to Mrs. Lee 
is interesting. She, instead of complying with the 
request and contributing to his "poor family, " handed 
the letter over to her lawyer. The proposition for 
a contribution not being answered. Judge Servis' 
deposition was taken and all he knew told. To break 
the force of his evidence this letter was introduced on 
the trial of the case in New Lisbon, and twelve Colum- 
biana County jurors said by their verdict that they 
would not regard as of any value as testimony the 
deposition of a man who could write such a letter. 
You have in Salem attorneys who were interested on 
both sides of the case, perfectly reliable Republicans, 
one formerly a Judge and the other now on the bench, 
and although I have heard neither of them allude to 
this letter in any manner I should not hesitate to sub- 
mit to their judgment the propriety of refusing to 
support a man who could thus write himself down in 
black and white. Judge Servis, instead of expressing 
regret for writing such a letter, says that it was a 
perfectly legitimate proceeding and just what anyone 
would have done under the same circumstances. 
Your prediction that I will bolt the Congressional 
nomination should Wood worth be defeated, is hardly 
worthy of you, as I am not given to such performances. 
I do think that our Judiciary should be above reproach 
and even suspicion, and will, so far as I can by my 
vote and influence, if I have any, endeavor to make it 
such. I should not have troubled you with this 



ii6 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

communication had I not been a little sensitive about 
my reputation at my old home if nowhere else. 
Yours respectfully, 

Walter L. Campbell. 
{The Salem Republican, July 27, 1876.) 

It was in this same campaign that Mr. Campbell 
first came into touch with William McKinley. 
Before the congressional nominations had been 
made the Register and Tribune supported the 
candidacy of Major Woodworth, who was serving 
his second term in Congress. It urged his record 
and experience and the greater value to the com- 
munity of a tried hand than of a new one. It 
pointed out the disadvantages of displacing an effi- 
cient representative for the sole reason that his 
county had had the office for a certain length of 
time and that it must let another have its turn. 
It declared that it would support the nominee, 
spoke in derogatory terms of no candidate, but 
urged the claims of Major Woodworth. McKinley 
was nominated. 

The Silver Question had come to the front, and 
in this connection an extract from the report of 
the proceedings of the nominating convention is 
made : 

The following additional resolutions were also read 



POLITICS AND JOURNALISM 117 

by the Chairman, offered by Walter L. Campbell. 
The committee, whilst without exception endorsing 
the sentiment and doctrines expressed in them, 
thought it best to submit them to the convention for 
consideration and action: 

Resolved, That justice is done to the Government 
and its creditors by paying the bonds and legal tender 
notes according to the laws which authorized their 
issue, only in coin, and that coin, by the language of 
the Constitution, and the practice of the government 
was gold and silver money, and that the depriving of 
the silver dollar of its legal tender quality was a wrong 
to all debtors as well as to the Government, that ought 
to be righted. 

Resolved, that we demand of the candidate this 
day nominated in case of his election, the exertion of 
his best endeavors to have the silver dollar restored 
to its old place as a legal tender, to the end that our 
bonds and notes may be redeemed in gold or silver, 
according to the option which undeniably existed at 
the time they were issued. 

W. L. Campbell. 



Mr.' Campbell moved to amend the report by adding 
the resolutions offered by himself to the resolutions of 
the committee, and supported his motion in a speech 
of some length. The question of Campbell's motion 
was taken and declared carried by the President. 

A motion was then made that the report of the com- 
mittee on Resolutions as amended be adopted. The 
motion was put and declared carried. This, it will 
be observed, showed two direct votes on the silver 
dollar resolutions; first, the one which added them by 



ii8 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

way of amendment to the majority report ; and, second 
when the whole report was adopted by the convention. 
At this point many delegates left their seats in order 
to catch the train, and someone moved to reconsider 
the vote by which the report of the Committee on 
Resolutions was adopted. The motion to reconsider 
was carried, and after some more discussion partici- 
pated in by Judge Ambler, M. L. Edwards, and W. L. 
Campbell in favor of the report, and Judges Wisden 
and Firestone and Gen. Myer in opposition, another 
vote on the resolutions was had and they were de- 
feated, thirty to twenty-one. Thus fifty-one dele- 
gates in a Convention of i68 members reversed the 
action which the whole Convention had taken. So 
great was the eagerness to reach the train that a 
motion was made and carried to adjourn. The Con- 
vention thereupon adjourned sine die without any 
resolutions and without having appointed a Congres- 
sional Committee. 

(Youngstown Evening Register atid Tribune, August 19, 
1876.) 

A short time later McKinley spoke in Youngs- 
town, giving his views on the silver question as in 
accord with the resolutions offered at the conven- 
tion. Mr. Campbell loyally supported Major 
McKinley throughout the campaign, both in the 
columns of his paper and on the stump. These 
letters of McKinley to Mr. Campbell show the 
friendly relations that existed between them in the 
years immediately following : 



POLITICS AND JOURNALISM 119 

William McKinley to W. L. Campbell 

House of Representatives, 
Washington, D. C, March 15, 1878. 

Personal 

Walter L. Campbell, Esq. 
Youngstown, Ohio. 

Dear Mr. Campbell: 

I received your letter of the 1 2th yesterday and was 
very glad to hear from you. There is no vacancy on 
the Niles & New Lisbon road and none on any of the 
other roads running through our District. I would be 
glad to recommend Mr. Calahan, if you desired it, 
did any vacancy exist, and will keep him in mind in 
the event of a vacancy. I have an almost countless 
number of applicants for appointments in the mail 
service, but I have adhered to the rule, which I regard 
as a safe one, to ask for no changes, except for cause. 
If a place can be found for him upon any of the roads 
running through Mahoning County I will ask for his 
appointment. He need not at this time forward any 
testimonials. I am satisfied with your statement of 
his character and qualifications and only lack the 
vacancy to request his appointment. I am exceed- 
ingly gratified with your assurances, that my course 
in Congress has been approved by my constituents, 
and have been greatly pleased with your course in 
connection with myself. I am a little surprised at the 
news of Mr. Andrews' probable candidacy for Congress ; 
I did not know he had any ambition in that direction. 
. . . Mr. Kelley was badly "scooped" by Garfield — 
this was the opinion upon all sides. I read Genl. 
Garfield what you said of him and also gave him your 
editorial comment upon the subject, with both of 



120 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

which he was much pleased. I get your paper and 
read4t daily. The report, I was to make a set speech 
upon the Tariff was unauthorized. It is true I have 
taken great interest in the subject, and have done 
what I could before the Committee to prevent the 
destruction of our industries, and if an opportunity 
presents itself, I shall probably speak against the bill. 
I am most emphatically against it and shall do my 
very utmost to secure its defeat. I have had in my 
desk for about two months, a resolution declaring that 
it was inexpedient to change existing Tariffs, and have 
been only prevented from presenting it from fear that 
it might not pass, under the circumstances. I wish 
that you would send me any facts of a local character 
important to the subject. Will you visit Washington 
this spring? I shall be glad to hear from you often 
& believe me, 

Sincerely, 

Wm. McKinley, Jr. 

William McKinley to W. L. Campbell 

House of Representatives, 
Washington, D. C, April 23, 1878. 

My dear Mr. Campbell, 

I write to thank you most cordially for having taken 
the pains to publish my tariff speech in full. It was 
more than I expected — my speech was so long, that 
I did not suppose you could give the space for more 
than extracts. I believe we will defeat the whole 
bill as soon as we can get at it. 

Very truly yours, 

Wm. McKinley, Jr. 
Walter Campbell, Esq., 
Youngstown, Ohio. 



POLITICS AND JOURNALISM 121 

In 1878, Youngstown found itself in a new con- 
gressional district, which did not include McKin- 
ley's county, Stark. The Register and Tribune 
regretted the circumstance as it would have liked 
to help McKinley in his campaign. Garfield was 
the candidate for the new district and his name 
was presented to the nominating convention by 
Mr. Campbell. 

At the Reunion of the 23rd Ohio Regiment held 
in Youngstown in September, 1879, McKinley was 
entertained at the Campbell home. He won the 
hearts of the members of the household by his 
attentions to the infant son who had arrived on the 
scene seven months before and was the pride of 
his parents. 

In a public meeting on this occasion Mr. Camp- 
bell was delegated to deliver the address of wel- 
come to President Hayes who was present. 

In the winter of 1880, some unpleasantness arose 
between Major McKinley and Mr. Campbell that 
altered the friendly relations between the two men. 
This was partly, and probably entirely, due to the 
opposition of Major McKinley to General J. A. 
Campbell's retaining the consulate at Basle. On 
account of his health Gen. Campbell had resigned 
from his position as Third Assistant Secretary of 
State in 1877, and been appointed to the consulate 



122 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

in the hope that the change of climate would be 
beneficial. Undoubtedly Mr. Campbell felt ag- 
grieved at McKinley's actions in the matter. Mc- 
Kinley was under obligations to him in a political 
way and anj^hing done against his brother, to 
whom he was devoted, must have hurt him far 
more than anything done to himself. He still 
continued to support him politically, and in the 
following summer made the speech renominat- 
ing him for Congress. The State had been 
redistricted again, and Stark and Mahoning 
counties were once more together. 

As an outgrowth of this campaign there was more 
friction between the two men. The term of the 
Youngstown postmaster, Mr. A. R. Seagrave, was 
about to expire and Mr. Seagrave desired a re- 
appointment. He was opposed b}'' Mr. Andrews 
on account of his connection with the Register. 
McKinley sided with Mr. Andrews and agreed to 
appoint his man. The Register charged that this 
was the result of a pre-election agreement between 
McKinley and Andrews by which Andrews gave 
McKinley the support of the News (a paper he 
had started in Youngstown with the avowed pur- 
pose of breaking the Register). A bitter fight 
ensued and McKinley refused to recommend 
Seagrave in spite of the fact that he was endorsed 



POLITICS AND JOURNALISM 123 

by a large majority of the Republicans of Youngs- 
town. Mr. Campbell made at least one trip to 
Washington in the interest of his friend, seeing 
both the President and the congressman and 
bearing a message to McKinley from Hayes. 
Mr. Andrews also sent a representative in 
behalf of his candidate, George J. Williams, 
an old soldier. The matter dragged on and 
was allowed to go over to the next adminis- 
tration, when Garfield appointed Williams. For 
some time after this relations between Mr. Camp- 
bell and Major McKinley were not at all friendly. 

It goes without saying that in the campaigns of 
1876 and 1880 Mr. Campbell supported the Re- 
publican national nominees. All through the 
trying time when the result of the 1876 election 
was in doubt, the Register published strong edito- 
rials urging the placing of the dispute before a 
tribunal of unquestioned authority and the neces- 
sity of abiding by its decision, no matter which 
side it might sustain. An editorial on this subject 
will be found in the next chapter. Here we find 
pleas for just laws and submission to them as the 
foundations of liberty, the theme developed ten 
years later in Ci vitas. 

This letter from General Garfield was received 
during this period : 



124 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

J. A. Garfield to W. L. Campbell 

Mentor, O., Oct. 25, 1878. 

Dear Campbell — 

On my return from Mich. I find yours of the 21st 
awaiting me. Until Lewis letter came I never heard 
of him, or of the work he was undertaking at the 
Tabernacle — & I have so written him. I am sorry 
if I was even the unconscious cause of embarrassment 
to him. 

I was delighted with the result in the State, espe- 
cially with the vote in Mahoning Co. It shows that 
the head and heart of our party are still sound. 

I received your account of my meeting at Youngs- 
town & was greatly pleased with it. 

With kindest regards — I am. 

Very truly Your Friend, 

J. A. Garfield. 

P. S. Remember me to our brave fellows who worked 
so nobly in Youngstown. I go to N. Y. to-morrow to 
speak four times. 

J. A. G. 



CHAPTER VIII 
editor's work 

The Register and Tribune was more than a po- 
litical party organ and it is pleasant to turn from 
partisan animosities to some of its other themes. 
In its editorial columns it reviewed lectures and 
recitals, discussed questions of local, of national, 
and of international interest, and dwelt on the 
salient features of the lives of the prominent figures 
in world history as they passed into the life beyond. 

By his articles on Remenyi, Mr. Campbell won 
his love and regard to such an extent that the 
violinist would send for him as soon as he reached 
Youngstown, greet him with great effusion, and 
embrace him affectionately whenever they met. 
He sent him his photograph with this letter : 

Ed. Remenyi to W. L. Campbell 

Kansas City, Missouri, 
t 2/2, 1880. 

Dear Sir, 

I am tardive, but still I come — Here my promised 
125 



126 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

photo — They will tell it to your fine mind how I 
look — 

Have me in your good friendship, 

Ed. Remenyi 

Please to acknowledge the receipt of the photo — 
Atlantic — Iowa-post-office. 

With Robert J. Ingersoll Mr. Campbell's re- 
lations were not so pleasant. He attended one of 
Ingersoll's lectures in which the lecturer said that 
no man was ever justified in making a remark that 
would cause a maiden of sixteen to blush. After 
the lecture was over Mr. Campbell, with others, 
called on Col. Ingersoll at the Tod House. Mr. 
Campbell took occasion to say that v/hile he was in 
sympathy with some of Col. Ingersoll's ideas, he 
felt that he was taking the wrong attitude toward 
men of the Jonathan Edwards stamp, Ingersoll 
interrupted him with such a volley of oaths and 
abuse that he left the room at once, and lost all 
confidence in Ingersoll's sincerity and interest in 
his views. He had not practiced what he preached, 
and that, in the eyes of his critic, was the unpar- 
donable sin and put him in the ranks of the hypo- 
crites. This extract from an editorial review of 
this lecture, shows his own reverent and tolerant 
religious spirit and his view of the intolerance 
frequently shown by those posing as liberal minded. 



EDITOR'S WORK 127 

Some Mistakes of Ingersoll 

It will not be expected that in a short newspaper 
article a complete review of Colonel Ingersoll's two 
hour and a half lecture would be possible, and yet 
something ought to be said in the way of pointing out 
palpable mistakes, misapprehensions, or misrepre- 
sentations. To those who have never given the ques- 
tions discussed any attention, it must have seemed 
strange, as the brilliant orator proceeded from point 
to point in his arraignment of the Bible and the God 
of the Bible, that the best men who have ever lived 
and died for the cause of Truth on earth should have 
found in those books their inspiration, and in that God 
their ideal of perfect love and justice. Not only the 
best, but the most intellectual of men have prized 
those books and have adored that Deity. The wise 
and the good have regarded these pages as sacred, 
not because they had never heard of Colonel Inger- 
soll's argimients, for they have been familiar with 
them all, but because on an impartial weighing of all 
the probabilities the evidence led them to accept the 
pretensions of the Bible to be the Word of God. They 
may have been mistaken in their conclusions, it is true, 
but they were not fools nor bad men, and their honest 
convictions and self-denying lives cannot be made 
contemptible by coarse wit and brutal jests. He is 
indeed a very small man who imagines that he can 
shake this faith of the ages or tear down its pillars by 
a joke. Fair reasoning, not reckless ribaldr>^; argu- 
ment not ridicule, alone has place here. Buffoonery 
may obtain temporary applause, but brains will beat 
in the long run. 

In saying this we do not wish to be understood as 



128 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

implying that Colonel Ingersoll is not doing society 
and religion some service. The field he finds for his 
exuberant wit to rove over is the narrow literalism of 
interpretation by which the Scriptures have been read 
and explained. The word of God must be as deep, as 
high, as unfathomable as his works, and if modern 
discovery, investigation and thought should disturb 
generalizations of one, two, or more centuries ago, that 
should excite no surprise. It may be that the per- 
fection of interpretation, or rather, method of inter- 
pretation, has not yet been attained. Attempts to 
explain natural phenomena were for thousands of 
years conspicuous failures, because scientists, so- 
called, generalized first, and endeavored afterwards 
to force facts to accord with their theories. Bacon 
and Descartes told them that their method was radi- 
cally wrong and they ought first to find their facts and 
do their generalization afterward. It may be that 
theology needs a Bacon, and that the Bible should not 
be made to conform to the creed, but rather that the 
creed should be revised to conform to a more rational 
interpretation of the Bible. The crude theorizing of 
the early gropers after scientific truth did not destroy 
the natural universe, and if the Bible be really the 
word of God, mistaken attempts to interpret it cannot 
destroy it. There may be nothing in all this, but 
then it is suggested for what it is worth. 
(Youngstown Register and Tribune, November 29, 
1878.) 

Later on in the editorial he points out various 
inaccuracies of statements in regard to passages in 
the Bible, either deliberate misrepresentations or 



EDITOR'S WORK 129 

"mistakes" of the lecturer. His own knowledge 
of the Bible was so wide and accurate that it was 
an easy matter for him to detect such "mistakes" 
as there might be, and he found a goodly number. 
For sometime after this Ingersoll figured in the 
columns of the paper, in contributions both by 
the editor and by others. 

It is not necessary to reproduce many of Mr. 
Campbell's editorials. A few will show what 
sort of paper he published and the breadth of his 
views. He gave to that small middle Western 
city what the large dailies now give the metropolis. 
Important events in Russia and Turkey, as well 
as in England and France, were dwelt upon and 
their special significance pointed out. Then as 
now, appeared editorials on the Balkan States. 
It was in no sense merely a local sheet. These 
selections from his editorial columns are important, 
too, because they show the man and how he looked 
at things, his feeling toward women, as well as his 
estimates of men. 

Phillips's O'Connell 

We regret our inability to give more than the ver}'' 
briefest report of the superb address of Wendell 
Phillips last evening. It was in the highest sense a 
triumph of oratory and thoughtful, deliberate speak- 
ing. The audience was held, not by noisy declamation, 
9 



130 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

not by rant, not by laborious attempts to produce an 
effect or make a sensation, for there was a total ab- 
sence of all these things. Calmly, quietly, without 
any apparent emotion, he elaborated his great theme, 
and eveiyone listened more to what the orator said 
than to the orator himself. It was a great study for 
every man who ever expects to address an audience; 
for in the absence of the appearance of art there was 
exhibited the very consummation of art. You could 
not but think when the orator described Daniel 
O'Connell with his magnificent presence and marvel- 
ous voice "every attitude beauty, every movement 
grace" that he was holding up the picture of himself. 
As men looked upon the great Irish liberator and heard 
him speak they would say, "what wonderful things 
he might do if he would only let himself out," and 
so many thought, no doubt of Phillips, as in his match- 
less way he reviewed the career and delineated the 
character of the champion of Catholic emancipation. 

Indeed the lecture itself was in more than one sense 
the vindication of Phillips's own course, and a defense 
of his life's labors. The Irishman applauded, and the 
American who applauded him, were alike agitators, 
were alike victims of persecution, were alike strugglers 
for the right, almost single-handed and alone, against 
odds that might easily appall the stoutest heart and 
most unfaltering courage. Their principles were the 
same. They both appealed to the intellect and con- 
sciences of men rather than to prejudice and physical 
violence. O'Connell sought to secure his ends with- 
out spilling a drop of blood, because progress gained 
through bloody revolution is followed by partial 
retrogression when the violent cause is removed; 
whereas the progress attained through the changed 



EDITOR'S WORK 131 

convictions of men is sure and permanent. So has 
Phillips believed, and so he has ever addressed himself 
to the reason and sense of right of men. O'Connell's 
other principle has been Phillips's, viz. : Nothing is 
politically right that is morally wrong. The one 
in his conflict against British oppression and the 
infamous Irish Code, and the other in his warfare 
upon negro slavery and its constitutional guarantees 
planted themselves on the principles of right as written 
by the finger of the Almighty on the hearts of men, and 
established on this rock, fought the great fight and 
won the crown. 

They were both preeminently agitators, both act- 
ing on the maxim, "What God gives me to know I 
will tell you." As Mr. Phillips says politics and the 
press adopt no such principle. "The politician in 
addressing the caucus dares not tell all he thinks or 
half his listeners know, but strikes them between the 
wind and water of their ignorance and prejudices, so 
as not to lose a vote; and the editor might as well 
shoot his subscribers with bullets as give them unac- 
ceptable ideas." Thus, according to Mr. Phillips, 
neither the politician nor the editor can be safely 
looked to to cure the follies or eradicate the pre- 
judices of men; but the agitator who desires no votes 
or wants no subscribers can preach the truth God has 
given him to know; and to him the world must look 
to point the path and lead the way to a higher life 
and brighter civilization. 

There is much, very much of truth in all this; and 
while we naturally recoil from admitting it in all its 
fullness and are reluctant to believe that the chief 
sources of giving the people new light are more or less 
polluted with considerations of expediency and time- 



132 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

serving policy, it cannot be denied that dependence 
of one sort or another too often deters the politician, 
the editor and even the preacher from a fearless pro- 
clamation of truth. ^ Neither Daniel O'Connell nor 
Wendell Phillips was ever known to swerve in de- 
livering himself of his convictions one hair's breadth 
from the maxim, "What God gives me to know I will 
tell you. " They both may have been mistaken as to 
what God told them, may have had their judgments 
perverted and their understandings darkened by 
prejudice, but still they were faithful to the light 
they had, and preached the truth as it seemed to them 
to be. 

So we might go on through this admirable lecture 
tracing out the resemblance between the eulogist and 
the Irish patriot he eulogized, but both time and 
space forbid. It is a shame, as we have often had 
occasion to say before, that lectures like the one given 
last evening, full of instruction and entertainment, 
are so poorly patronized in this city. Though it 
ought to be said, in justice to the community, that 
the hard times have prevented any very cordial en- 
couragement of any sort of entertainment recently. 
Youngstown Register and Tribune, April 26, 1878. 

Beaconsfield 

The death of the Earl of Beaconsfield closed one of 
the most remarkable careers that ever fascinated or 
disgusted mankind. 

It is impossible not to admire the pluck by which he 
conquered the adverse circumstances of race and birth, 

'In Chapter X., p. 173, will be found Mr. Campbell's portrait 
of the popular politician as it is given in Civitas. 



EDITOR'S WORK 133 

and, himself a living protest against the exclusiveness 
of the nation of his adoption, became the champion of 
all that was most exclusive in its exclusiveness. 

In all his aims he had only regard for success. Con- 
scientious conviction seemed to play no part in his 
life or to have any effect in determining his career. 
At twelve he quietly repudiated the faith of his fathers 
and submitted to Christian baptism that the pro- 
scriptive obstruction which religious bigotry had 
placed in the path of his ambition might be removed. 
He always played to win, and it is almost true to say 
that he always won by playing. 

The utter want of sincerity in the man, in all things 
public or political, forces itself upon the thought at 
the contemplation of every step in his remarkable 
career. There seemed to be in his plans of State more 
of the dreaming of the novelist than of the earnest 
strivings of a patriotic statesman. He was constantly 
seeking to capture the multitude by some dramatic 
stroke which appealed to the popular love for the 
ostentatious and high sounding. To increase the 
veneration of her subjects for the Queen of England 
he had her dubbed the Empress of India. 

It was the appearance of things that he kept upper- 
most in his thoughts. When he became enfeebled 
with age and there was a stoop in his walk he would 
not, on entering the House of Commons, go directly 
to the ministerial benches, but would stop, look around 
and gather strength for the ascent, and when fully 
ready would spryly run up as though he were but in 
the vigor of his early manhood. He has had his 
servants of the press even very recently writing himself 
up as strong in the enjoyment of all his mental and 
physical powers, in contrast with his great rival, 



134 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

Gladstone, who was at the same time described as 
broken in strength and worn out with the toils of 
office. 

Such shams would be contemptible unless practiced 
by the most accomplished artist. There was, too, 
behind it all the courage of a sublime egotism and faith 
in his own personality. 

This scheming has not elevated the character of the 
British name or added to the glory of the empire. 
He has complicated the affairs of England by his 
method of settling the Eastern dispute, and, though 
he added Cyprus to Her Majesty's dominions, he 
bound England to the maintenance of a protectorate 
which can hardly be otherwise than fraught with 
incalculable mischief. 

Beaconsfield was while he lived an enigma and is 
destined so to remain. He is a hero. Of this there 
can be no doubt, and his career would read like a 
romance of another age or another land. The splen- 
dor of his triumphs, nevertheless, cannot blind to the 
glaring defects in the moral obliquities by which they 
were secured or the mental infirmities which suggested 
them as the aims of personal ambition. 
Youngstown Daily Register, April 20, 1881. 

Mrs. Livermore's Lecture 

For more than two hours Mrs. Livermore discussed 
the great problem of woman's relation to modern life 
and development before a most interested audience. 
She was at home with her subject and eloquent and 
philosophical in its treatment. It was by all odds, 
whether you take into the account its appreciation of 
the nature and difficulty in the way of a practical solu- 



EDITOR'S WORK 135 

tion of the question she was dealing with or the earnest 
womanliness that characterized every word spoken, 
the best lecture — the ablest, most philosophical 
address written or spoken, that this agitation has 
produced. It is too long to be reported in full, and too 
broad in its conception and too logical in its argument 
to be abbreviated to advantage. 

There is one point that should be thoroughly 
impressed, not only on the public at large but on all 
those who on either side take part in the discussion of 
the woman question, which Mrs. Livermore made 
prominent and strong. It is the proposition that she 
repeated over and over again, "sex runs through every- 
thing. " This is a truth absolutely universal in nature, 
and as essential as universal to anything like an 
adequate appreciation of the rights as well as the 
sphere of woman, of the rights as well as the sphere 
of man. She said: "If you say that man is the head 
I shall not dispute it, but if so, then woman is the 
heart. If you say with the Swedenborgians, man is 
wisdom, I say -with the Swedenborgians, woman is 
love." 

This is exactly it, a statement at once of the differ- 
ence between the sexes, and the equality, of the place 
each has been assigned and the claims of each to sover- 
eignty within the range of work which this difference 
imposes and requires. By ignoring or refusing to 
recognize sex in a discussion of this most important 
of problems of modern life, intelligent debate is out 
of the question, progress impossible, and a satisfactory 
conclusion utterly hopeless. But, by endeavoring to 
understand it in all its range, by attempting to give 
it force and effect in thought as well as in fact, by 
admitting the manliness of manly qualities in men, 



136 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

and the womanliness of womanly qualities in woman, 
and the reasonableness, the wisdom, the propriety of 
each, a great stride has been made towards bringing 
the woman problem into the domain of philosophical 
criticism and intelligent solution. As a remedy for 
the condition of things as society is at present consti- 
tuted, Mrs. Livermore insisted on a wider, broader, 
more thorough and more practical education of 
women. What she would have is, as she said, appar- 
ently paradoxical in its announcement, but neverthe- 
less desirable in fact. She would have every girl 
educated as though she were sure of being called 
upon to perform the duties of wife and mother, but 
inasmuch as those "who become entirely domestic, 
fail to be truly domestic," she would have every girl 
educated as though she were sure of being compelled 
to depend upon herself for support and usefulness. 
For various reasons, as shown by the census of 1870, 
thirty-three per cent, of the marriageable women of 
the country remain unmarried. 

"What are these to do?" she asked. "Margaret 
Fuller said : 'let all women be sea-captains if they want 
to be, " but the difficulty is, women do not want to be 
sea-captains. Says Mrs. Stanton: "Let women drive 
cabs or be car-conductors"; if they want to be, all 
right — but they do not. "The fact is," continued 
Mrs. Livermore, "there are not, to-day, vocations for 
women, suitable to them, and desired by them, fit 
for their employment. The light is breaking in the 
schools of design that are being established, and 
in which great progress has been made in Massachu- 
setts and Philadelphia, and some in Ohio. In this 
direction there is opening the widest field for the 
employment and the usefulness of women who would 



EDITOR'S WORK 137 

become self-reliant, independent, and something more 
than dead-weights on society. " 

No attempt has been made to review this able, 
extraordinary, admirable lecture, but these points 
were enforced with a richness of illustration, eloquence 
of diction, and a strength of reasoning that commanded 
the most uninterrupted attention of everyone in the 
audience, and an approval just as general. It was a 
womanly woman's view of woman's rights, responsi- 
bilities, and duties, fairly stated, honestly debated, 
and wonderfully full of suggestiveness. 
Youngstown Daily Register, January 5, 1881. 

Sovereign Law 

There is a difference, recognized by the world, 
between the great Republic of the United States 
and the petty Governments of Mexico and South 
America which call themselves free. What is the 
essence of this difference? It does not lie altogether, 
or chiefly even, in the contrasts observable in the 
structure of the Governments and the character of 
the institutions. In fact there have been industrious 
efforts to copy examples set by our Government in 
the Republics that have arisen to the south of us. 
Still popular institutions have failed there to confer 
the blessings which the}'- have showered on us. The 
difference is deeper down than that, is more funda- 
mental than the form of government or constitutional 
provisions. 

It must be traced for its origin to the habits of 
the people. We have learned here, through many 
and many a year of difficulty and struggle, to rely 
firmly and persistently on the forms of law. We 



138 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

have learned to respect the decisions of the courts, the 
findings of tribunals, the laws of the State. We know- 
that these decisions, findings, laws, are not always 
right, are indeed often wrong. We knew that the 
injustice often effected is great and irreparable, but 
still, down in the very innermost being of our life, 
there is an abiding conviction that unless these deci- 
sions are enforced, these findings are accepted, these 
laws are obeyed, there is no hope for the perpetuity 
of the Republic, no hope of freedom among men, no 
possibility of popular government surviving the 
struggles of factions. We are, therefore, a law- 
abiding people, respecting the forms of law and 
observing the decisions of regularly constituted tri- 
bunals. This is a habit with us. We do not do it 
so much from a recognition of the necessity of it as 
from practice, constant observance, and in consequence 
of training. 

In Mexico and the Republics of South America 
the habit of the people is strongly contrasted with all 
this. They have not been trained to liberty. It has 
been grafted into their politics by the longing for 
something better than tyranny, and by the hope that 
they might realize the splendid achievements of our 
own political life. It is to them a foreign tree planted 
in a soil never cultured for its growth. They have not 
learned to accept the decisions of tribunals or respect 
the forms of law, because for generations they meant 
nothing to them but the grossest tyranny and the 
crudest oppression. They have recently learned 
that the power of the tyrant, the rule of the despot, 
could be broken by force, and they have adopted the 
idea that their sole redress for every individual or 
political wrong suffered is an appeal to arms. The 



EDITOR'S WORK 139 

consequence is that revolution after revolution 
perplexes their government and unsettles society. 
There is no progress, no growth, and there can be 
none. Anarchy instead of law rules; war instead of 
legal tribunals is the arbitrator of disputes. There 
is no increase of wealth, no development of civili- 
zation, no cultivation of art or science, no statesman- 
ship, no mark of that mutual dependence and 
trust that must characterize the people of a free 
State. 

Just now there is a manifest attempt to degrade 
the politics of the United States, the Government of 
the United States, the society of the United States, 
to the low level of these faction-riven Republics. 
There is a talking of war to determine the question 
as to whether frauds have been perpetrated in the 
election of a president. Suppose this talk should 
turn to practice, this boasting become action, how 
long, do you imagine, the place we occupy among 
the nations could be maintained? Was there ever 
held in this country an election in which fraud was 
not charged by the defeated upon the successful 
party? We go further and say that it is not probable 
that there was ever an election held, national or local, 
but frauds have characterized it to a greater or less 
extent. Generally, it is true, these frauds have not 
been alarming in their magnitude, but still they have 
existed and given ground for complaint. If then the 
doctrine, now so loudly preached in some quarters, 
is to be accepted and the aggrieved party, whenever 
it imagines itself defrauded at an election, should go 
to war, every political campaign would be succeeded 
by armed conflicts and every disappointed candidate 
would become the leader in an insurrection. Revolu- 



140 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

tion would become the order of the day and anrachy 
(if we may so speak) the law of our Government. 

Do we counsel then quiet acquiescence when an 
election is stolen? By no means. Do we discoun- 
tenance war? Most certainly we do. What then is 
the redress when a party has been defrauded of its 
rights by an assault on the purity of the ballot? 
Most surely it is not war, for that will imperil the 
existence of the ballot itself even though it should 
end in the securing of justice of which a fraudu- 
lent vote has deprived the insurrectionists. The form 
of our Government has provided a way to secure right- 
ing of wrongs and the obtaining of justice without a 
resort to the barbarian's argument, violence and arms. 
There is a sense of the right, of the just, prevailing 
among the people of the United States, that will never 
be appealed to in vain. Let any fraud perpetrated 
be thoroughly exposed and its perpetrators will suf- 
fer the humiliation of popular condemnation. This 
sense need only be aroused to be felt. It is, therefore, 
the duty of every wellwisher of this country to submit 
when, in regular process of law by decisions of legally 
constituted tribunals, the verdict of the ballot has 
been against him. It is his duty to submit, not indeed 
as though he were rightly dealt with, but as a citizen 
of a free State, taking an appeal from an unjust deci- 
sion to the people again, demanding a revision of the 
judgment. He is to use his best endeavors to secure 
the passing of laws which will prevent in the future the 
outrage of which he complains. He is to perfect 
the election machinery, so that every illegal vote may 
be excluded and every repeater may be detected and 
punished. Meanwhile we must all stand by the forms 
of law, we must abide by the decisions of regularly con- 



EDITOR'S WORK 141 

stituted tribunals, we must acknowledge that law is 
sovereign and must prevail. Republicans cannot 
afford, even if they so desired, to threaten the life 
of the Republic and assassinate liberty because ballot 
boxes are stuffed in New York City and thirty-five 
electors stolen from Hayes to elevate Tilden. Demo- 
crats cannot afford, even if they so desired, to assail 
our free institutions and imperil the Republic because 
dissatisfied with the action of a Southern Canvassing 
Board, believing that it is corrupt. It is rather the 
duty of Republicans and Democrats alike to remedy 
their ills by appealing to the conscience, the sense of 
justice, the ballots of the people, and by enduring tem- 
porary defeat prepare the way for obtaining an as- 
sured and permanent victory. Let the law rule and in 
time all will be well, and the Republic be built on 
foundations which can never be moved or shaken, 
when the right of every citizen will be sacred, every 
ballot be honest, and every decision just.^ 
Youngstown Register and Tribune, November 25, 
1876. 

In spite of the character and influence of the 
paper, it was not a financial success, although it 
was not a losing venture for some years after Mr. 
Campbell went into it. He went into it at a time 
of great business depression, worked against the 
Greenback craze, made enemies who conducted 

'The theme of Mr. Campbell's book, Civitas, published in 
1886, is that just law, justly enforced, is the foundation of 
liberty. See Chapter X., p. 164, "Liberty and its Foundations"; 
p. 172, "Unjust Laws Breed General Dissatisfaction." 



142 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

violent personal campaigns, and as a result as 
early as 1875 we find him trying to dispose of his 
interest in the paper. Again, in 1877, he was 
looking for another occupation, and would have 
liked to secure a territorial governorship under the 
Hayes administration. 

The strife with Chaunce}^ Andrews was ever 
present. One question was no sooner settled than 
another arose. Andrews desired to go to Congress. 
The Register and Tribune opposed him. Andrews 
secured the appointment of an inefficient mining 
inspector instead of a man who had closed some 
of his mines that were not complying with the 
safety regulations required by law, and imme- 
diately started his mines again. The Register and 
Tribune dwelt on this. Always there was conflict. 
Andrew^s controlled the Vindicator, a weekly, and 
in 1877 started another daily — the News. He 
declared his intention of "sending Campbell to 
the poorhouse. " It is estimated that he spent 
between forty and fifty thousand dollars in his 
effort to wreck his opponent's paper. He waged 
a war of personal abuse of such character that his 
editorials do not bear reproduction. It is small 
wonder that Mr. Campbell welcomed the change 
of ownership of one of his contemporaries, that 
came in 1880, in this friendly way: 



EDITOR'S WORK 143 

The Reformed Vindicator 

With the present issue of the Vindicator, Brown 
retires from its proprietorship and the little he had to 
do with its management. His successors, Messrs. 
Vallandigham and Clarke/ are gentlemen of ac- 
knowledged ability and attainment, and will beyond 
any question give the paper character and influence. 
They are Democrats, as they describe themselves, of 
a radical type, and do not intend to sacrifice their 
convictions or betray the time-honored traditions and 
teachings of their party for supposed temporary 
advantage. They do not make themselves perfectly 
clear on the question of the currency, but are decided 
in an expressed determination not to follow "in the 
wake of adventurers, " which would seem to be some- 
thing of a slap in the face for the latter-day leaders of 
the Democracy in its wanderings. However, these 
points will be made clearer as time advances. They 
introduce themselves to their readers and the public 
in a truly manly and straightforward fashion, and if 
we must have a Democratic party in Mahoning 
County, it is better that it should have a paper to repre- 
sent it whose publishers have convictions and regard 
their political organization as something more than a 
mere combination to get office at whatever cost of 
principle or consistency. The Tau Corum welcome, 
"With bloody hands to hospitable graves," would 
hardly be appropriate. That is the sort of greeting 
we are very willing to have the party receive, but for 
the gentlemen themselves in their business venture 
we have only wishes for the very largest measure of 

■John H. Clarke, now Associate Justice U. S. vSupreme Court. 



144 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

success . Differences will come soon enough , no doubt . 
Discussion is necessary under a popular government. 
Agitation is the vital breath of freedom. In journal- 
istic battles it is pleasant to know that you are going 
to fight soldiers and not guerrillas. So the Register 
and Tribune most cordially welcomes the Vindicator to 
its new life and hope under its new and promising 
management. 
Youngstown Register and Tribune, April 17, 1880. 

In the fall of 1880 the Register and Tribune was 
not making any money, and Judge Johnston did 
not care to go on with it. He sold his interest in 
it to a number of Youngstown men, who were glad 
to support a paper with the policies of this one. 
"Tribune" was dropped from the name, and it 
became the Daily Register. From this time on 
more attention was given to the telegraphic 
reports, and less to the editorial columns. The 
Register and Tribune from the beginning had had 
the Associated Press dispatches and succeeded in 
keeping them in spite of great efforts made by the 
News (Mr. Andrews's organ) to get them away from 
it. The fight was kept up for a year and a half, 
but it was a losing game. The editor, who now 
had a wife and two children to consider, was dis- 
couraged. His debts were increasing. The News 
and the Register were consolidated. It is probable, 
however, that his fellow-stockholders would have 



EDITOR'S WORK 145 

been willing to go on for some years longer as they 
signed a paper agreeing to contribute certain sums 
annually for a term of years, a few days before 
this occurred. 

In the combination of the News and the Register, 
the Board of Directors was to have three repre- 
sentatives from each paper and one neutral man. 
In the election of the editor, the Register stock- 
holders had been confident of the success of their 
candidate. However, the referee voted for the 
other man, and Mr. Campbell retired from the 
newspaper world. 



CHAPTER IX 



MAYOR 



The next few years were very discouraging ones 
for the Campbell household. In debt and with- 
out any regular employment and with a wife and 
two delicate children to support, he did not find the 
situation reassuring. At this time Mr. Campbell 
again turned his attention to the law, wrote and de- 
livered a lecture on "Capital and Labor," continued 
as organist in the First Presbyterian Church, and 
in these ways succeeded in keeping the wolf from 
the door. 

This lecture on the "Combination of Capital 
and the Organization of Labor," was the fore- 
runner of Civitas. Chapter X. gives the idea as 
developed there. In the present state of commerce, 
combination of capital is a natural result of free 
competition. Organization of labor must act as a 
check on its power. He preaches the doctrine of co- 
operation, a doctrine that is just beginning to be un- 
derstood. These extracts are from his conclusion, 

146 



MAYOR 147 

There must be, in a word, the substitution of fair 
dealing for free competition, of honesty for over- 
reaching, of justice for the disposition to get rich at 
another's hurt. 

But that is attacking a natural law, the law of free 
competition. ... Is there anything, after all, so very 
monstrous in an effort to modify the regular operation 
of a natural law which works wrong? Must we never 
assert our will through our muscles to overcome the 
natural law of inertia, to take a step ? Must we never 
fly a kite, arch a bridge, inflate our lungs, strike out 
with our hands, push forward with our feet to swim in 
order to save ourselves from sinking by a natural law to 
a natural death by strangulation ? . . . It is the great 
business of our lives to play one natural law against 
another. Now all that I insist on is that the natural 
law of free competition shall be controlled by the moral 
law of justice exactly as the natural law of brute force 
has been effectually modified by the moral law of 
justice. Is it to be done by legislative act? Not 
entirely, not chiefly. I have little faith in laws 
that there is no public opinion to enforce. Some 
things, however, can be done by judicious enactment. 
I would have the government assimie such super- 
vision of the highways of the country as would 
make extortion impossible and favoritism out of the 
question. I would have the government assume 
such control of the telegraph lines as would put all 
citizens on terms of equality so far as intercourse is 
concerned and prevent the possibility of their being 
used to destroy public journals that refuse to enter 
the service of the monopolies. I would have the 
people stamp relentlessly into his political grave every 
aspirant for public honor, whose only claim to recogni- 



148 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

tion is his wealth, and who by buying office not only 
stabs liberty in a most vital part, but gives warrant 
for the belief that he is ready to make himself whole 
by doing the briber's bidding. I would have them so 
mold their political conduct that they would not dis- 
criminate against the rich nor in favor of the poor but 
select solely by the measure of desert. I would have 
capital combinations and labor organizations bid their 
destructive strivings cease and say henceforth, profits 
shall be fairly distributed according as saving or mus- 
cle or brain has contributed to them and equitably 
apportioned shall be the losses. But that is cooper- 
ation? Exactly so. Thus would I substitute the 
dispensation of the Gospel for the dispensation of 
political economy. I would establish equity not 
equality, a commercial republic which means com- 
mercial order, not a commercial democracy which 
means commercial anarchy, communism; and so 
would rapidly become as much a relic of barbarism 
as its great prototype our impending commercial 
feudal system. 

In the spring of 1884 the better element in 
Youngstown decided that the government of the 
city was in need of reform. Vice was rampant. 
Laws were not enforced. Conditions were noto- 
rious . In their search for a man who would admin- 
ister the laws rigorously and justly they decided 
upon Mr. Campbell, who had in his career as editor 
shown himself absolutely fearless and honest. They 
nominated him for Mayor on the Republican ticket. 



MAYOR 149 

The national issue of protection had as much to 
do with his success as the local one of reform. 
Major McKinley made overtures toward a recon- 
ciliation which were accepted and resulted in his 
speaking in Youngstown the night before the elec- 
tion. It is very probable that this speech turned 
the tide in favor of his candidate. On April 7, 
1884, Mr. Campbell was elected Mayor of Youngs- 
town by a majority of 231 votes over his opponent, 
Matthew Logan, 

In the beginning of the campaign an incident 
occurred which is worth relating because it shows 
the attitude of the two friends toward each other. 
At a meeting held to further Mr. Campbell's 
candidacy, Mr. McCurdy said that as he had a 
number of opponents in the city he would keep out 
of the campaign — that his help might do more 
harm than good. The prompt reply was, "No, 
Bob, I want you with me," and so the question 
was settled. 

One of the first acts of the new Mayor was to 
secure as secretary his former classmate at Western 
Reserve, Mr. William R. Merrick. He was very 
fortunate in this as it was most important that he 
have the right man in this capacity. 

Next, he turned his attention to his police force 
and impressed upon them the necessity of their 



150 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

enforcing the laws. This they were afraid to do, 
because it might interfere with their reappoint- 
ment. The Mayor declared that the odium would 
be his and that the officers must do their duty. 
When the time came to make his own appointments 
he had great difficulty in having his nominations 
ratified by the City Council, and was obliged to 
send in one list of names after another before he 
succeeded in filling his force. He created one new 
office, that of Roundsman, to which he appointed 
David T. Williams, who proved an able and trust- 
worthy officer. 

There was no delay in rigorously enforcing the 
laws. Gambling dens and houses of ill-fame were 
made to close their doors; saloon-keepers were 
obliged to comply with the regulations in regard 
to closing hours, at night as well as on Sunday. 
Where habitual offenders had previously escaped 
with light fines they now received workhouse 
sentences. Streets that had been shunned at 
night by law-abiding citizens became orderly 
thoroughfares. Absolute impartiality was shown 
to all offenders, no question of previous acquaint- 
ance or of social standing being allowed to inter- 
fere with the administration of justice. The 
office of Mayor included that of Police-judge 
and it is a noteworthy fact that not one of Mr. 



MAYOR 151 

Campbell's decisions was reversed by a higher 
court. 

Not only were laws in respect to vice strictly 
enforced but other statutes that had become dead 
letters were brought to life. One of these in 
particular was of benefit. The railroads ran 
through the heart of the town and the engineers 
used to blow their whistles to an obnoxious and 
unnecessary degree. No attention was paid to 
the ordinance regulating the matter. The Mayor 
ordered all offenders to be arrested. After this 
had been done a few times with the resulting 
interference with traffic, the companies decided 
to observe the law and the nuisance was abated. 
This law continued to be observed for some years, 
but again lapsed into abeyance. 

This rigid enforcement of the law, while of great 
benefit to the city at large, brought down on the 
head of the Mayor the hatred of the malefactors. 
Men and women who had been forced to obey 
the law or leave the city wrote letters containing 
threats of personal violence. These disturbed 
the Mayor not at all, but were a matter of great 
concern to his wife. Their house was over a mile 
from the Mayor's office and part of the way was 
along a lonely road. Many a night when her 
husband was late in returning his wife would tuck 



152 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

her babies into bed and go down to meet him. 
On seeing him in the distance she turned back. 
Her husband never knew about these lonely walks 
for he was never able to understand why anyone 
should worry more about him than about any 
other man. Special consideration of himself an- 
noyed him more than anything else. 

One case in particular made a great stir among 
the saloonists and brought the Mayor their ill-will. 
Under a previous administration a saloon-keeper, 
Fred Hepp, had been convicted after a jury trial. 
He left town without paying his fine or costs. 
When the witnesses and the jurors in the case 
returned for their pay there was nothing for them. 
During this administration Hepp came back, think- 
ing that with a new Mayor he was safe. He was 
mistaken, however, and locked up for his fine and 
costs. After three or four days in jail his friends 
succeeded in raising the money and he was released. 
At the close of Mr. Campbell's administration 
more than one offender went out of town and stayed 
away until he was out of office rather than receive 
the heavy sentence that he knew would be given 
him. 

When the next election came this animosity 
bore its fruit. The lawless elements of the city 
were of one mind and worked hard in opposition 



MAYOR 153 

to the man who had made their way so hard. The 
better element was so sure of his reelection that it 
was somewhat lax in its efforts to secure it. Their 
candidate had given a record administration, 
that was notable not only in the city but in the 
State. His reelection was certain — why work? 
He was defeated by the Democratic candidate, by 
a majority of twenty-one votes. It is interesting 
to note that the Prohibition party polled fifty-four 
votes. These votes were wasted and had they 
been cast for the Republican candidate the 
result desired by both parties would have been 
gained. 

On retiring from office after a term of two years, 
Mayor Campbell submitted the following report 
to the City Council : 

To THE City Council: 

Mr. President and Gentlemen — As required 
by law, I herewith submit to your honorable body my 
report for the year closed, with the accompanying 
suggestions. Notwithstanding the repeal of the so- 
called Scott law and the financial embarrassment 
occasioned by it, the financial condition of the city has 
been materially improved by a very substantial lessen- 
ing of the debt and reduction of taxation. This result 
has been attained through the cordial cooperation 
of all branches of the municipal government in prac- 
ticing economy and adhering steadfastly to business 
methods in contracting obligations and discharging 



154 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

liabilities. The instances of apparent extravagance, 
as shown by the clear, able, and comprehensive report 
of the City Clerk, are exceedingly few, and these are 
no doubt susceptible of easy explanations. Not to 
speak of the eight thousand of a temporary loan 
to meet current expenses, in anticipation of a revenue 
already provided for, there has been during the 
last year a net reduction of the debt of the city 
amounting to twenty-seven thousand three hundred 
and forty-nine dollars, and in the two years of this 
administration eighty-two thousand eight hundred 
and sixty-one dollars and forty-two cents. This it 
should be remembered is over and above the ad- 
ditional liabilities, contracted in making some neces- 
sary improvements, the burden of which will fall for 
the most part on the property specially benefited and 
not on the city at large. If nothing untoward should 
happen, there is no good reason why the next year 
should not show a continuance of the good work. 
There are thirty-five thousand of waterworks bonds 
due in September next and there will be funds on hand 
to pay about twenty-five thousand of them, leaving 
ten thousand to be refunded at a lower rate of interest. 
While I am always ready to defer to the superior wis- 
dom of council and experienced financiers, it neverthe- 
less does seem to me that no injustice is done by 
requiring the Waterworks Trustees to take care of 
the interest on waterworks bonds. 

The interest upon this debt after this year should 
not much exceed six thousand dollars, and the increased 
and increasing revenue realized from the water rents 
would seem to be ample to meet this without appreci- 
ably impairing the efficiency of the water service. It 
does not seem to me that the policy of reduction 



MAYOR 155 

of debt and consequent lessening of taxation can be 
too strenuously insisted upon. 

The wages of labor, the returns upon invested 
capital, and, indeed, the manufacturing and industrial 
future itself of our goodly city depend upon it. When 
taxes become equal to interest on investments, pru- 
dence withholds its hand from new undertakings 
and enterprise itself shrinks from an encounter with 
disadvantages which can be avoided. Our financial 
condition would be much helped, of course, if the 
Scott law should be restored to vitality, and the 
opinion seems to be well grounded among good lawyers 
that were its provisions put again to the test, the 
present Supreme Court would sustain its constitution- 
ality. Entertaining such an opinion myself, I would 
recommend that the Solicitor be instructed to com- 
mence at once proceedings in mandamus to compel 
the auditor to put the saloons on the tax duplicate 
for taxation. 

I come now to the business of the Mayor's office 
proper, and for the purpose of giving Council a basis 
for judging of the efficiency of the work done, some 
figures are appended from the records of the office 
embracing a period of three years. During the last 
year of my predecessor there were three hundred and 
fifty arrests for drunkenness, and during the first 
year of the present administration one hundred and 
fifty -two and during the last one hundred and ninety- 
four, not showing the steady improvement that ought 
to be expected. For drunkenness and disturbance 
there were during the last year of my predecessor one 
hundred and ninety-eight, during the first of the 
present administration one hundred and nineteen, 
and during the closing year eighty -one. For disturb- 



156 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

ance simply during the last year of my predecessor 
there were fifty-eight, during the first year of this 
administration one hundred and fifteen, and during the 
closing year forty-eight. On the whole it would 
appear as though there had been a very substantial 
decrease in offenses of this character. During the 
last year of my predecessor there were no arrests for 
the violation of the so-called ten o'clock ordinance 
and fifteen for keeping open on Sunday. During the 
first year of the present administration there were 
sixty arrests for the violation of the ten o'clock ordi- 
nance and eleven for keeping open on Sunday, but dur- 
ing the closing year there were only eight arrests 
for violating the ten o'clock ordinance and thirteen 
for keeping open on Sunday. 

The fewer arrests for the violation of these ordinances 
is partially attributable to the heavy penalties imposed 
for the large number of arrests during the first year, 
and partially, I fear, to the fact that those officers 
who had been most efficient in these respects became 
so obnoxious that their confirmation when reappointed 
became doubtful or was refused entirely. In this 
connection it would seem proper to renev; the sug- 
gestion made a year ago, to the effect that if the policy 
of regulating the hours of traffic in intoxicating liquors 
is to be adhered to, and in my judgment it should be, 
the sweep of the ordinance should be enlarged so as to 
include places where spirituous as well as malt liquors 
are sold. Whatever doubt may have been enter- 
tained of the power of the Council to adopt such an 
ordinance would seem to be removed by the very 
comprehensive opinion of the Circuit Court, rendered 
in the case of the city against E. L. Wright. During 
the last year of my predecessor, for keeping disorderly 



MAYOR 157 

houses and houses of ill-fame there were ten arrests ; for 
residing in them, twenty-three, and visiting them 
thirty-seven. During the first year of the present 
administration, for keeping disorderly houses and 
houses of ill-fame there were nine arrests, for residing 
in them seven, and for visiting them twenty-seven. 
During the closing year, for keeping them there were 
nine arrests, for residing in them nine, and for visiting 
sixteen. It may be proper to observe for the consider- 
ation of Council, that the rigid enforcement of the 
ordinances against the keeping of houses of this 
character has resulted in changing the method of 
maintaining the nuisances without entirely destroying 
the evil complained of. Houses with lewd women 
where lewd men congregate by tens and twenties 
have been succeeded by the single room where one 
woman and one guest in a manner comply with the 
law while they violate decency. Under the present 
method there is not the open shocking of the public 
sense of propriety nor so much of a defiant flaunt- 
ing of vice in the view of all the community, but still 
the social evil itself is by no means cured. Under 
the last year of my predecessor there were no arrests 
either for keeping gambling places or for gambling; 
during the first year of the present administration 
there were five for keeping a gambling room, and for 
gambling twenty-six, and during the closing year for 
keeping a gambling room there were two arrests and 
for gambling seven. For resisting officers during the 
last year of my predecessor, there were twelve arrests, 
during the first year of the present administration 
seven, and during the closing year four. Without 
going further into detail it may be sufficient to observe 
that during the last year of my predecessor, for violat- 



158 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

ing the city ordinances there were in all seven hundred 
and sixty-three arrests, during the first year of the 
present administration five hundred and eighty, and 
during the closing year four hundred and twenty-five. 
Whether this does or does not show an increased re- 
spect for city ordinances and municipal regulations is 
submitted for the candid judgment of those interested 
in the preservation of order and the peace of the 
community. 

I am not of those who measure the success of muni- 
cipal government by the amount of fines turned into 
the treasury, and yet I do think that so far as doing 
justice would allow, criminals should be compelled 
to pay the expense of their trial and punishment. It 
has been the endeavor to do this. The Mayor's 
office during the two years last past has turned into 
the treasury sixty-four hundred and ninety-one dol- 
lars and ninety-two cents, and during the closing year 
twenty-seven hundred and eighty dollars and eighty- 
one cents. This sum could have been very materially 
augmented had a different policy been pursued. If fines 
had been imposed so low as to have become in effect 
licenses for violating laws and ordinances, they would 
have been paid much more cheerfully and replenished 
the treasury more generously. The ordinances were, 
however, designed either to regulate or destroy, and 
the endeavor has been to enforce them with strict 
regard to their character. It would be possible, for 
instance, to blackmail the houses of ill-fame with a 
fine every month or so, and the city would gather 
revenue and they would flourish, but the spirit of the 
law contemplates their destruction, and the penalties 
imposed have aimed at this result. For more than 
fourteen months now the experiment of sending the 



MAYOR 159 

worst offenders against the municipal regulations to 
the workhouse has been tried and it will be for your 
successors in office to say whether the contract shall 
be continued in force. The contract is almost entirely 
a one-sided one, inuring from a financial point of 
view almost entirely to the benefit of the Cleveland 
Workhouse. It should not be forgotten, however, 
that the arrangement has been most salutary in 
affording a means of punishment which has been 
effectual in preventing crime; the expense has been 
considerable, but it has been in some degree compen- 
sated for by the reduced cost of maintaining prisoners 
here. From April, 1882, to April, 1883, the cost of 
boarding and maintaining prisoners in the city prison 
was seven hundred and twenty-three dollars and 
eighty-eight cents, for the next year eight hundred 
and seventy-eight dollars and eighty cents ; during the 
next year from April, 1884 to April, 1885, it was seven 
hundred and eight dollars and twenty cents, whereas 
during the last year since the workhouse contract 
has been in force the cost of boarding prisoners at 
home has been only five hundred and thirteen dollars 
and twenty cents. There is thus an average saving of 
about two hundred and sixty dollars a year. The 
total cost of transporting and boarding prisoners at the 
workhouse during the fifteen months the contract 
has been in force has been eight hundred and seventy- 
four dollars and seventy-three cents or about six 
hundred and ninety -nine dollars for the year. Taking 
from this the saving of about two hundred and sixty 
dollars, the workhouse arrangement resulted in an 
average cost to the city of about four hundred and 
forty dollars a year. There is another element of 
advantage arising from this contract which, though it 



i6o LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

cannot be definitely stated in dollars and cents, is 
nevertheless considerable. The fear of the workhouse 
has led to the payment of many fines which would 
not have been otherwise collected. On the whole 
experience would indicate that the contract should 
not be abandoned, although the sentences it makes 
possible should only be resorted to in desperate cases. 

In order to make the exhibit of the police record as 
full as possible, I append a table of the State cases 
tried in this office during the past two years : . . . 

I have already, perhaps, extended this report to an 
undue length, but in retiring from an office of great 
trust and responsibility I cannot refrain from express- 
ing my thanks to my associates in government, one 
and all, for the cordiality with which they have sup- 
ported me. The end and aim of my official life has 
been to practice economy, reduce debt, maintain the 
authority and dignity of the law without fear or 
affection, to prevent and punish crime, and to preserve 
the city's peace. If these results have been in any fair 
measure attained, I am thankful to the people for the 
opportunity they gave me to serve them, but if I 
have failed I trust that it will be attributed to lack of 
ability and not to any want of honest endeavor. That 
citizen and oflEicial may join non-partisan hands in 
urging our city forward in a path of prosperity, 
one and all consulting its peace, respecting its whole- 
some regulations, and revering its laws, is the wish I 
cannot too devoutly express in laying down an honor 
which I have honestly striven not unworthily to wear. 
All of which is respectfully submitted. 

W. L. Campbell, Mayor. 
Mayor's Office, Youngstown, O., April 12, 1886. 



CHAPTER X 

CI VITAS 

When Mr. Campbell's term as Mayor was over, 
he took an office which he furnished with a chair, a 
table, his typewriter, and a spittoon, shut himself 
up, and wrote a book. This book was called 
Civitas, The Romance of our Nation's Life. In 
the course of five months the book was written and 
the arrangements made for its publication by the 
Putnams. In the writing of the book he had the 
help of his warm friend, Mr. Colwell P. Wilson. 
The office was on the third floor of a building ; on the 
first fioor was the First National Bank with which 
Mr. Wilson was connected. Mr. Wilson, when- 
ever he had an opportunity in the course of the 
day, would slip up to the office to see how the 
work got on. Sometimes there would be one line, 
sometimes several, and sometimes none at all. 
Whatever was there, was read over and frequently 
discussed. Every evening Mr. Wilson proof- 
read what had been written during the day. As a 
II i6i 



i62 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

result some years after the book had been published 
Mr. Campbell declared with truth that Mr. Wil- 
son knew more about it than he did himself. Civi- 
tas did not have a large sale although with only one 
exception it was favorably reviewed by the critics. 
When he saw that his book was not widely bought, 
Mr. Campbell did with it as he had done with his 
former disappointments, forgot it. The author 
forgot, but the friend remembered, and, in later 
years, more than once quoted passages that their 
writer failed to recognize. It was through Mr. 
Wilson's help that the writing of this chapter was 
made possible. 

Civitas, while written in the form of an allegory 
and of an epic, is primarily a philosophical essay, 
embracing in its sweep both the historical and the 
prophetic — the story of the nation's trials by cen- 
turies rather than by years. It is a plea for just 
laws, justly enforced. It shows the materialism 
on which the structure of society really rests and 
its dangers — some of which menace us to-day. 
These lines from the Introduction give its 
plan : 

So I now sing a plain terrestrial verse 
Which some may like, which many more may curse; 
But, liked or curs'd, it mighty truths reveals 
Which everyone, who thinks, in secret feels. 




COLWELL P. WILSON 



CIVITAS 163 

I sing a hero more illustrious far 
Than Alfred Great or Henry of Navarre, 
Epaminondas, or King Philip's son, 
Or any who Olympic laurels won. 
Or fought 'round Troy, or Roman legions led, 
Or in crusade for God and glory bled ; 
Who seemed a man but was himself a state, 
Beloved of Heaven, favored of kind fate; 
As man was tempted, as a god withstood, — 
Preferred a lasting to a seemung good; 
Reached up to heav'n and brought a goddess down, 
And wooed and won an everlasting crown ; 
Forgot his vows awhile afar to rove. 
Returned ere long obed'ent to his love; 
Who coped with perils menacing the state. 
With corporations vast and Plutarchs great ; 
With anarch's schemes to murder, wreck and rob. 
Dethrone all law and glorify the mob ; 
With politicians' arts and shameless wiles — 
The craft unwary innocence beguiles ; 
Whom, for his triiunphs, all the world applauds — 
As hero hails and ranks among the gods. 



In brief the action of the book is this. Civitas, 
' ' surnamed America, ' ' lies exhausted on the field of 
battle. He is wooed in turn by Anarchia, Mon- 
archia and Philosophia, each of whom he rejects. 
Finally his "Land's Free Genius" leads him to 
Libertas who consents to a union after he has 
taken certain vows singly and in sum. Quickly 
the vows are forgotten and, intoxicated by materi- 



i64 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

alism, in spite of the protests of Libertas he adopts 
the methods of the present day politician. These 
lead him to a brothel where Anarchia keeps the 
promise made on her first visit and reappears. 
His "Land's Free Genius" rescues him. Return- 
ing to Libertas he promises to follow a different 
course. Plutocrat suddenly comes upon the scene. 
Coached by Anarchia he claims to be her son and 
Civitas's. Threatening to tell Libertas of his 
parentage, he blackmails Civitas into giving 
him complete power. At this Libertas summons 
Civitas, who admits what he has done. Then she 
summons Plutocrat, who confesses his fraud, but 
says that the power is his ' ' vested right, ' ' ' ' For at 
my back's the Dartmouth College case. " At this 
Anarchia bursts into the room, scores Plutocrat for 
his admissions, slays him, and curses Libertas. 
Libertas in a few words quells Anarchia, dismisses 
her from her presence forever, and restores his 
sovereignty to Civitas. 

Within this action the writer gives his own views 
on many questions. Some of these are in the 
following passages. 

Liberty and its Foundations. 

Libertas speaks and demands these vows of 
Civitas : 



CIVITAS 165 

"The vows thou'st singly sworn in sum repeat, 
And thus the plighting will be made complete. 
As first in love, I'll first in honor stand, 
The pride, the hope, the glory of thy land; 
The weak to shield, the strong to justice hold, 
The timid nerve, their bounds prescribe the 

bold, 
Till strong and weak and bold and timid learn 
To serve the one the other, all in turn. 
And next to me, but equal, law shall be. 
The standing proof of my supremacy, 
To execute alike on small and great 
My perfect will, and so preserve thy state 
When tyrant's craft thy rising power assails, 
Or mob's disastrous rage its woes entails. 
As I in law, so law in me shall prove 
That state is governed best whose law is love. 
As lawless love to lawless power may grow, 
And richest blessing bring the direst woe, 
So law of love must sanctions sure ordain, 
Or else who could his sovereignty maintain. 
■ But law and love together thou wilt bind. 
As one in aim, twin blessings to mankind. 
O then how sweet will swell the harmony 
From law attuned to love of liberty. 
The melody sublime will touch thy soul. 
Inspire thine aims, thy passions all control. 
Till lust of power thou'lt surely learn to hate; 
Till ignorance as wisdom thou'lt ne'er rate; 
Till avarice, the meanest monster bred, — 
Ere it is living, thou wilt smite it dead. 
Through weal and woe, through prospects dark and 

fair, 
All this thou'lt be and do; — dost thou so swear?" 



i66 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

Love of Wealth a Menace. 

Quickly the nation has grown strong with 
apparent prosperity, but, unknown to itself, the 
fabric is woven on the frame of materialism. This 
is described and its danger pointed out. 

As firm as Civitas had stoutly vowed, 
Temptation meeting, he as weakly bowed. 
Before one century his life had spanned, 
Shrewd flatterers his vanity had fanned 
Until it burned a furnace, raging hot 
Within his soul, consiuning every jot 
Of aspiration after nobler things 

Than wealth, whose seeming strength with poison 
stings. 

Stones make not bread, though tempters say they 
may; 
The food that strengthens not, but feeds decay. 
When wealth's an end and not the means employed, 
And all endeavor's with its dross alloyed; 
When nations build their strength on it alone, 
And boast their greatness in the heaps they own ; 
When offices are bought and laws are sold. 
And public virtue has its price in gold; 
When freemen in the market hirelings stand 
And, dogs of slaves, lick foul corruption's hand; 
When churches point their gilded spires to heav'n, 
And in the pulpit praise to Mammon's giv'n; 
'When schools and universities abound, 

' Beginning with the late nineties many LL.D.'s were conferred 
on men whose sole claim was dollars. Some colleges took the 
names of their benefactors. 



CI VITAS 167 

And learning's self is worthless not wealth-crowned; 

When knaves to power on golden ladders mount, 

And all of worth is in the bank account ; 

When all of life to live is gain to get, 

And honors only come at riches' let; 

Then, though mankind looked on in awed surprise, 

Saw States from prairies, towns from marshes rise, 

Which, in scarce one short generation's span 

In opulence old empires far outran, 

And forced the world to shout in loud acclaim 

The glor}-- of a new-born nation's fame ; 

Though all the wealth of all the Indias piled 

Upon that land by lust for gold beguiled ; 

Though every hut a palace should become, 

And millions daily should enrich each home ; 

Though want an exile from the country flies, 

And idleness each luxury supplies ; 

Though art, philosophy and learning light, 

In splendid rivalry, this manhood's night; 

Though all this be and infinitely more — 

The continent turned gold from shore to shore; 

If public virtue wanes as waxes wealth, 

And avarice all manhood takes by stealth : 

Then damned's that land to doom of endless shame 

When manhood's dead and dollars rulers name. 

When Freedom breathes Corruption's sick'ning 

breath, 
The nation's writhing in the throes of death. 
O then's the time for heroes to arise, 
With souls that shun, with hearts that dare despise 
The placeman's glories with'ring as they're clutched, 
And meet the foe, as with God's spirit touched. 
And smite and smite and smite till brib'ry's dead 
And men are men again to freedom bred. 



168 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

This is the crisis that will try the state 
If it deserves to live, or, mocked by fate, 
Should perish, and a hissing byword be 
Where men are men and government is free. 

A Business World. 

He presents the false arguments of practical 
business which are based on materialism. 

" This is a business world,'' which clearly means 

That he lives best who bread from dreamings gleans; 

Is always practical in aims and ways. 

And judges each thing's worth by what it pays — 

By what it pays in property, of course. 

As of real worth there is no other source. 

I thought not so, ere I had learned the world; 

When I by youthful dreams along was whirled, 

I sought now this, now that, I knew not what, 

Some fancied good by fancy's cunning wrought. 

These vain imaginings I now eschew. 

And reap substantial gain from all I do. 

He who goes moping fertile fields around, 

Of virtue prates when he should till the ground ; 

Or rails at vice when he should watch the fold; 

Or praises God when he should dig for gold; 

Or goes to church when he should run his mill ; 

Or preaches temp'rance by an idle still. 

May grow in grace, his fat'ning soul expand, 

Be known for virtue throughout all the land; 

But useless still, impractical and vain. 

His life for loss must count and not for gain. 

* In 1880, "Business Men's clubs" worked for Garfield. 



CIVITAS 169 

Nor in all this can harm be done to thee, 

Unless abundance wars with liberty. 

The rich can scarcely pass the pearly gates, 

But no such gospel bars the growth of states. 

Is liberty a boon? Then, if so, why? 

To teach poor mortals how in hope to die? 

Or how by faith immortal life is won ? 

Or how the just man's path shines as the sun, 

And brighter grows until the perfect day ? 

To teach the strong to thank, the weak to pray ? 

And all, the wisdom of the pious road 

Which leads through self-denial up to God? 

Not so, Libertas; we're not here for this; 

We seek not heav'nly, but terrestrial bliss. 

We are immortal but our home is earth, 

And making home most bright is test of worth. 

Those who sing doleful psalms and preach for pay 

Will mourn our course and this degen'rate day; 

But we, naught fearing, will move wise along. 

With wealth endowing our republic strong. 

Till plenty blesses e'en the humblest home 

And every man has more than king become. 

A bread-and-butter gospel thus we live. 

And in return for work, abundance give." 

Reply of Libertas. 

In these days of high wages and steady work, 
with dissatisfaction and strikes on all sides, this 
forecast of thirty years ago is fulfilled. 

"False Civitas, thou dost most weakly speak, 
Nor dost thou wisely thus thy boon now seek. 



170 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

Thou sneer'st at that thine oaths had giv'n ap- 
plause, 
And tear'st at virtue with thy wordy claws. 
Shame on thee, traitor. Dost thou not well know 
That freedom never can in such soil grow ? 
In noble minds alone it can find root 
And noble thoughts must train the tender shoot. 
Thou know'st that virtue is my vital breath, 
That, with that lost, there is eternal death; 
And yet, for silver, thou wouldst sell thy soul 
And damn my life with thine ! Is this thy role ? 
" 'Tis not the business of the state to preach. 
Nor after joys supernal try to reach; 
But to consult man's highest earthly good, 
Which surely's something more than clothes and 

food. 
The slave who works the cotton and the corn 
Has both of them in his dark lot forlorn, 
But freedom is not there to bless and raise. 
Or light his toilful night with cheering rays. 
To fill the belly and to warm the back, 
To see of comforts that there is no lack. 
Might satisfy the wants and aims of those 
Whose brutish minds ne'er 'bove the grov'ling rose; 
But men who think, as well as eat and wear, 
Of higher joys will ask a larger share. ^ 

■ "A decade ago when there was a decided impulse towards 
some form of improvement, it was undertaken not through 
altruism but through necessity. The awakened intelligence of 
workmen began to voice itself in expressions that something 
more than wages was due them. Hitherto they had accepted 
their surroundings without demur. To allay this feeling of 
smothered discontent, the industrialist was forced into attempts 
at betterment; he felt this step was necessaiy to hold his labor." 
— William H. Tolman, Social Engineering (igog), p. 365. 



CIVITAS 171 

Eat, drink, and merry be, to-morrow die. 

With beasts' low instincts may in scope comply. 

Mere soulless things, that root and grunt and grow. 

And, in the end, to slaughter, fattened, go, 

May have a mission useful of its kind, 

But never can provide the thinking mind 

With types of life that would its longings meet. 

Nor hint a way to make its joys more sweet. 

Thy gospel new has this, then, for its boast, ^ 

It makes men hogs, and hogs gives honor's post. 

Thy care should first, should last, should always be 

To guard the life, the law of liberty. 

If this be done with ever thoughtful zeal. 

This land of ours shall know no lack of weal : 

And growing wealth will breed not bitter strife 

Which threatens all when greed, unchecked, is rife. 

When men are bound to avarice as slaves. 

And know no good but what its spirit craves, 

They'll not be then in anything denied 

Which may, by blood or riot, be supplied. 

But if my love controls in every breast, 

And every wrong is by my law redressed, 

Rash discontents will not then fly to arms 

And shake the state with barb'rous war's alarms, 

But bide their time till justice th' issue tries, 

Brands wrongs as wrong and that that's right as 

wise. 
The reign of liberty is reign of law, 
And this it was I clearly then foresaw 
When by firm oaths I thee once sought to bind 
To serve me only and my laws defined. 

' In 1900 the Republican party promised a " full dinner pail." 
This was the period of the greatest activity in our history in the 
formation of combinations and trusts. 



172 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

The reign of wealth is reign of avarice, 

A passion brought to empire, which means this: 

Blind justice sees, sees profit in the scales. 

While to all else the passion vision veils. 

O then renounce thy gospel's shameless creed 

And follow me as I, in love, shall lead. " 

Unjust Laws Breed General Dissatisfaction. 

"If wealth to give shall be the state's whole aim, 

Then, equal giving vindicates its claim 

To justice in its rule; but if not so, 

And while some richer, others poorer grow, 

The poor will envy those the state preferred, 

And wreck the state whose partial laws thus erred. 

So long as cunning robbed not just desert, 

And trustfulness as craft was as alert; 

And wit the witless tried in vain to foil. 

And shrewdness stole not gains from honest toil; 

So long as things like these did not confuse 

The giving to all equally their dues; 

So long thy state to quest of wealth enslaved 

Might boast its triiimphs though just laws it braved: 

But when the inequalities appear. 

And rich and poor each at the other jeer. 

The rich with pride, the poor with envy blind. 

Then where wilt thou thy right to govern find ? 

Thine aim was plenty to insure to all. 

And if thou fail'st in that, the whole must fall; 

For what remains when life's sole aim is lost. 

But vain contrition's counting up the cost? 

If thou becom'st of wages guarantor, 

And wages fall, and fall still more and more; 



CI VITAS 173 

Or if thou sponsor stand'st for ventures made, 
And into losses promised profits fade; 
Then workmen and investors both will say- 
That with their int 'rests thou didst falsely play; 
Much thou didst promise and didst give but loss, 
Thy golden glitter proved but worthless dross. 
Again I plead, renounce thy shameless creed 
And patient follow where, in love, I lead. " 

The Will of the People. 

This characterization is singularly apt. The 
popular politican stoops to the people instead of 
leading them. 

He who would rise must be where people are ; 
See what they want, not study from afar. 
To lay the ropes must first be thorough learned, 
To pulling them attention next be turned. 
Who lays and pulls ropes best sees this most clear, 
He lessens friction as he pays for beer. 
The fool makes speeches, arguing at length. 
In politics believing truth is strength ; 
While this delusion flattering he hugs, 
Another gets the votes with five-cent mugs. 
The tyro goes to books to learn to rule. 
The vet'ran knows the bar's a better school. 
Know then the people, care naught else to know. 
If in official life you'd like to grow: 
Their whims make yours, their follies see as wise, 
And ever read your duty with their eyes. 
Think not to find a better way than theirs, 
For thoughtful independence lays but snares. 



174 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

Who waits for them to blaze a certain trail 

And follows close, can surely never fail; 

To watch its crooks and turns is all the skill, 

If none be blazed, then, prudence says, stand still. 



Be what they want and at the very time, 
'Tis pushing on ahead that here is crime. 
Make paper money, silver, gold or skins — 
And when they want it — that it is that wins. 
If harm should come, you're surely not to blame. 
Their will can never be their servant's shame. 
To know the people first, the people next 
Is omega and alpha of this text. 
Go where they are, where'er that place may be, 
And with surroundings make yourself agree. 



So go to church when church bells solemn ring. 
Join in responses, with the loudest sing; 
Be sure all see you in your pious mood 
And know one politician who is good. 
But with the service o'er hunt up a bar. 
Confusion drink to partial laws that mar 
Enjoyments — not of preaching, praying kind, 
But those of men more lib 'rally inclined. 
Be sure they see you in your jolly frame 
And know that you and they have minds the same. 
You thus may win both classes to your side 
And mount ambition's path with easy stride. 

False Ci vitas was wise, and knew these things 
Without book-learning and the doubts it brings. 

Who cultivates the wisdom of the schools. 
Rejects clear instinct to obey its rules. 



CI VITAS 175 

Imagines statecraft some mysterious art 

Which only ancients knew and books impart, 

Will one day mourn the grievous error made 

And curse the law his common sense betrayed. 

He'll wary be, when that which wins is dash; 

Conservative, when that alone is rash ; 

Will march by beaten roads when they're worn out, 

Will hesitate, when doubt means certain rout ; 

Will play in politics a losing hand 

Where knowledge counts far less than skill and 

"sand." 
Attainments here are greatly out of place; 
Who squanders cash when he can run his face? 

So Ci vitas, to instinct giving ear. 
And seeking by its light his course to steer. 
Was down among the people, working well 
To learn for his own use the ways of hell. 

Though back to God is sometimes traced its birth, 
All htrnian government is of the earth. 
The wicked, as the good, its power preserve, 
The wicked, as the good, have weals to serve. 
Just government should recognize them both, 
And deal with all alike who aid its growth. 
If representative the state would be. 
It cannot rest alone on piety. 
But on the people, good and bad alike. 
Who will in laws a wholesome average strike. 

Plutocrat Described. 

This character which appeared so mysteriously is 

a product of our own institutions and love of money. 

Now Plutocrat a spirit bold possessed; 
A cunning matchless, zeal that knew no rest ; 



176 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

An industry that would the world subdue 

If time were given all he thought to do; 

A mind far-reaching in its plans for gain, 

But soulless thought, pure product of the brain ; 

A conscience, feeling money-loss alone 

A crime for which no penance could atone ; 

Ambition vaulting; caution circumspect; 

An avarice that ne'er for wrong done recked; 

A robber's instinct and a robber's nerve; 

A will unyielding, bent but self to serve; 

A judgment, seeing when to bribe or fight; 

A skill in logic which could black make white ; 

A power for evil clearly manifest ; 

A power for good, perhaps, which never blest. 

Plutocracy Leads to Anarchy. 

In time the outraged sense of justice of the 
people will manifest itself. Plutocracy will fall 
and anarchy arise. 

Anarchia into her councils took 
This man or monster (as you on him look), 
And formed alliance with him to the end 
That each the other's schemings should befriend. 
Unnatural at best this union seems. 
The meeting and agreeing of extremes ; 
For Plutocrat all wealth would make his own, 
And found on it a grasping, tyrant throne; 
While she would scatter all that thrift might gain, 
And 'mid the wreck of all things fix her reign. 
Impossible this compact must have been. 
Had he, as she, the future clearly seen. 



CIVITAS \77 

Regarding only progress made each day, 

He never thought or cared where led his way. 

A dollar hid no one could further see, 

But how to keep it, none so blind as he. 

He would not lose, by any sudden turn. 

To guard 'gainst that he had been quick to learn ; 

But consequences, distant or obscure. 

Which foresight, seeing bad, can sometimes cure, 

He lacked ability, somehow, to trace. 

And saw that fair which looked fair on the face. 

Anarchia was cast in diff'rent mould. 

The future and results her acts controlled. 

Libertas of her empire she would rob, 

O'erthrow all law, to power exalt the mob. 

If she could this, her aim of aims, secure. 

Rebuffs for her were nothing to endure. 

She counted not the days' but ages' flight 

In working out designs conceived in spite. 

No temporary gain elated her. 

And losses seemed the more her zeal to spur. 

She saw afar and sacrificed to-day, 

The distant morrow trusting for her pay. 

To whelm Libertas, Civitas, and all. 

In universal wreck she'd made her call. 

And days and years, and centuries' long sweep 

Were naught to her whose vengeance knew no sleep. 

Plutocrat's Campaign. 

By bribing legislatures, buying laws, and secur- 
ing control of railroads, telegraph, and press, 
plutocracy gains power. Anarchia speaks to 
Plutocrat : 



178 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

" I shall with definiteness speak, " said she, 
"From compliment and figures vain keep free, 
Unfold the plot whereby we shall achieve 
Ourselves vast empire, and Libertas grieve; 
Great Civitas to hopeless ruin bring, 
Wreck the republic and enthrone thee king. 
This is the scheme, then, I would have worked out: 
First, Civitas thou'lt make face right about 
And have him place Libertas after thee 
In moulding law and fixing policy. 
Thou must his master absolute become 
So that he wiggles as thou wagg'st thy thumb. 
His favorite, in brief, thou'lt make thyself. 
And shrewdly use his power t' increase thy pelf; 
For favorites, though hated, spoils enjoy 
Without the cares that sovereignty annoy. 
Thou'lt have him frame his laws to let thee cheat, 
And cancel debts which others have to meet; 
Let thee make ventures, which, if they should fail, 
On others would the loss entire entail; 
But, if they should at all successful prove. 
Thou wouldst the profits in thy pocket shove. 
Have all his laws contrived to meet thy views, 
And read, 'If heads I win, if tails you lose. ' 
Then of his highways thou wilt get control. 
And make all commerce pay to thee a toll. 
Each journey made will tribute bring to thee, 
In every pound of freight thy gain thou'lt see. 
Of all the people eat or drink or wear, 
Through transportation take the lion's share. 
He who can make the king's highways his own 
Has him enthralled who occupies the throne. 
When thou dost come thy railroads to construct, 
Let promises to profits sure conduct. 



CI VITAS 179 

Pay out but wind, but take in all thou canst; 
Though thus thy friends be robbed, thy wealth's 

enhanced. 
Thy hand lay on the lines of telegraph, 
And, at Libertas' wails, serenely laugh. 
On all communication, tax assess 
To rob the public and thyself to bless. 
Then, of the press a censorship create, 
Quotations change and stocks manipulate; 
Pervert the truth to serve thine own design. 
And square all news by int'rest's crooked line. 
Two things at once no people ever saw; 
Then run thy papers by this well-known law. 
Let scandal loose, attention to arrest; 
While others read, well feather thou thy nest. 
With railroad, press and telegraph controlled,^ 
No one from thee can empire long withhold. 

' These methods were employed to defeat the passage of the 
Roosevelt railroad legislation. "But even more cogent proof of 
the need of control was the outrageous attempt of the carriers 
to influence popular opinion through so-called publicity btu"eaus. 
An extensive service, regardless of cost, was set up with head- 
quarters at Washington and with branches in all the leading 
cities, headed by the President of the Southern Railway. Bogus 
conventions, packed for the purpose, — such as the 'Alabama 
Commercial and Industrial Association, ' — passed resolutions 
unanimously, to be scattered broadcast by free telegraphic 
despatches all over the country. . . . Palpably garbled news 
items from Washington were distributed without cost, especially 
during the hearings of the Senate Committee. Even more 
insidious and misleading methods were employed. An elaborate 
card catalogue of small newspapers throughout the United 
States was made; in which was noted all of the hobbies, pre- 
judices, and even the personal weaknesses of the editors. . . . 
Magazine sections or 'ready to print' insides were also made up, 
in which appropriate and subtle references to railroad issues 



i8o LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

With favoring laws and these things at command, 
Thou'lt soon be hailed as prince o'er all the land. 
I think there's much that I might still suggest, 
But wisdom clear as thine will know what's best. 
With progress made, what next to do thou'lt see, 
And soon supreme o'er all the land wilt be. 

"I pardon beg. — I had almost forgot 
A quite important detail of the plot. 
Before thou hast advanced far on thy path 
Thou mayst excite the thinking voter's wrath. 
Who may oppression see before it comes 
And fail to nibble at thy bribing crumbs. 
If on thine arguments thou wouldst put stress, 
A people tractable thou must address. 
But thinking men thy reas'ning will not blind, 
Nor will they be to thy designs inclined. 
They'll spurn thy bribes, thy power will see to hate, 
And of thy usurpations loudly prate. 

were concealed in a mass of general reading matter. Two or 
three weekly letters were sent gratis to minor newspapers without 
regular Washington correspondents, containing 'good railroad 
doctrine,' together with spicy local news items ["Scandal let 
loose, attention to arrest"]. ... As an indication of the 
formidable proportions of this campaign of education, the 
Chicago office, alone, employed some forty highly paid experts. 
Regular reports were rendered by this news service to the rail- 
roads' committee, as to the results achieved; setting forth the 
number of columns of news matter distributed and the changes 
effected in the proportion of 'pro ' and 'con ' items published. It 
was indeed a most astounding demonstration of the lengths to 
which organized corporate power would go to defeat regulative 
legislation. That it proved upon exposure to be a boomerang for 
the railroad cause, is to be inferred from the entire absence of all 
such political methods from the succeeding campaigns dealing 
with further amendment of the law." — Railroads — Rates and 
Regulation, William Z. Ripley, pp. 496-498. 



CIVITAS i8i 

Thou mayst thy hireling press sick on them — true, 

But something more than that thou'lt need to do. 

Thou must import an ignorant voting class ^ 

To swear by thee, and stand by Civitas 

In the alluring principle he spread, 

That States exist to give the people bread. 

Those who think thus, or never think at all, 

Thou must rely upon to heed thy call, 

Thy bribe to take, to vote the ballot giv'n 

When freemen ask from power to have thee driv'n; 

Thine enterprises can employment find 

For countless hordes of this convenient mind; 

And barb'rous lands can inundations roll 

Of such as fitted are for thy control. 

Thou'lt thus get labor cheap, and votes to boot, 

Enrich thyself and liberty uproot. 

Thus power will profit, profit power augment, 

And people bribed will be with all content ; 

And labor free, reduced to bondmen's pay. 

Will forced accept conditions of thy sway. 

Thy greatness firm foundation will have laid 

In votes thine own, the price for which thou'st 

paid, 
And all the world will thy great craft applaud; 
Libertas see as Civitas — a fraud. 
The scheme I've thus unfolded at some length; 
Now to its execution bend thy strength, 
Till thou hast conquest greater far achieved 
Than ever victors crowned or peoples grieved. " 

' The first Contract Labor Law was passed in 1885, the year 
previous to the pubUcation of Civitas. In 1887 and 1888 provi- 
sions were added to make the law effective. The statute of 1891 
made the law broader and more stringent. It was reaffirmed in 
the later laws of 1903 and 1907. 



i82 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

"Who Owns the Highways Owns the State in 
Fee." 

In these words of Civitas to Plutocrat are the 
writer's own views of the importance of govern- 
ment control of railroads. 

"Couldst thou but for a single moment dream 

That I request like thine would ever grant ? 

That I, a sovereign, would myself supplant? 

Who owns the highways owns the state in fee; 

To sovereign leaves mere show of sovereignty ; 

At pleasure commerce taxes with high hand, 

To avarice a prey devotes the land ; 

The people plunders while he seems to bless, 

And freedom murders, feigning a caress. 

Let thee my highways build, and own, and use! 

Request like this I scarcely can refuse ! 

My sovereign rights I'll sovereign-like maintain, 

And be myself supreme in my domain ; 

Nor lend my power, so easily abused, 

To one who might prove stronger when accused. "' 

■ At the time this was written, two Federal statutes regulating 
railways had been passed, in 1864 and 1872; but the Interstate 
Commerce Commission had not been created. It came in the 
following year, 1887. 

In 1903, B. H. Meyer, in Railway Legislation in the United 
States (1903), p. 245, said: 

" Neither in the federal law, nor in the laws of a single state, 
nor in the laws of all the states collectively, does there exist ade- 
quate power to protect the railways against each other, on the 
one hand, or the public against the railways on the other." 

Conditions improved after the legislation of 1906 and 1910. 



CI VITAS 183 

How Plutocracy Rules. 

Swift revolutions came, by wiles achieved, 
Far greater than the world had e'er conceived. 
Proprietary workmen who, anon, 
Supplied communities are lost and gone; 
Are seen no more as men with minds and hearts, 
But of machines as necessary parts ; 
With reason not addressed, by force coerced, 
Oppressed, submissive, but rebellious cursed; 
Become mere fractions of wide-reaching wholes. 
Automata, — mere numbers on pay-rolls; 
Combined against, if they in turn combine 
The world's askew — there's war on rights divine. 

Once, competition business life controlled, 
And industry and skill and muscle told 
In strife for bread and modest competence: 
Machines and combinations, impotence 
Make manly qualities like these to-day — 
The sport of chance, the plutarch's easy prey. 
Alliance to alliance swift succeeds, 
A compact broken, closer compacts breeds; 
Where one to pieces falls, another springs, 
Till now, where'er we look, we see but "rings." 
Associations, corners, unions, pools. 
Or simply corporations make the rules 
Which run the markets and prescribe the price 
We pay for food, for furniture, for ice, 

In Railroads — Rates and Regulation, William Z. Ripley says 

(1912), p. 578: 

"The fundamental principle of effective government regulation 

had been indisputably affirmed in 1906. The Act of 1910 had 

for its purpose a firmer intrenchment of the position already 

occupied." 



1 84 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

For everything we eat, or drink, or wear; 

For berth in sleeper or for railroad fare; 

For coffins, cradles, — everything we use 

From grandma's night-cap to the baby's shoes. 

We do an errand, telegram despatch, 

Express a package, or but strike a match ; 

We ring a telephone, our lamp we light, 

Whate'er we do by day or e'en by night — 

Some combination, somewhere, tribute takes 

And what we pay is just the price it makes. 

Grow larger, fewer, factories and mills. 

And mechanism more men's places fills, 

Till in vast corporations men are lost; 

Mechanics for machines aside are tossed. 

The little shops, where skill and toil combined 

To foster manhood with content of mind. 

To ruin by the thousand have been hurled. 

As now plutocracy enthralls the world. 

Thus labor loses zest, of thought deprived; 

Mere toilers strive to live where manhood thrived. 

The current rushes on more strong, more swift; 

Still more of wagemen, and still less of thrift; 

vStill larger corporations, fewer shops; 

Of discontents, still larger, larger crops. 

Still sweeps the current and the flood still swells; 

The stronger corporation now compels 

The weaker, in its line of industry, 

To sacrifice its life in bankruptcy. 

With aid of telegraph and railroad lines 

What warfare leaves, self-interest combines 

In one consolidated mighty whole 

Which can its branch of trade, at will, control. 



CI VITAS 185 

"The empire's peace" — so despotism said, 
Which only meant that Hberty was dead. 
Thus combination competition slays 
And brings repose which all but croakers praise. 
A feudal system grows like that of old, 
With serfs submissive and with chieftains bold; 
With vassals, liegemen, lords high paramount, 
With fiefs and tenures more than one can count; 
Now broken into fragments, now combined, 
Cohering, yet discordant, still entwined 
Around and through our life of trade and toil; 
Now parts at war each other to despoil. 
Now, all united to maintain their power 
Whenever people see what dangers lower; 
On force not founded, nor by sword maintained, 
But holding fast, by fraud, what knav'ry gained. 
Thus coal-oil, whiskey, silver, gold, have rings, 
Whose managers, mere lords, swell 'round like kings; 
Through statesmen dictate policies and laws, 
Teach courts, in statutes how to find queer flaws; 
Elections buy and legislatures sway. 
Choose senators, have congressmen in pay; 
In every lobby work a bribing gang 
To see that acts adverse shall have no fang. 
Like feudal chiefs, they fight o'er this or that, 
But serve their suzerain, great Plutocrat; 
As he o'er all his mighty scepter waves. 
And makes these vassal lords his loyal slaves. 
He fortunes makes, and fortunes, too, destroys; 
Brings profits here, with losses there, annoys; 
Turns fields to towns, if int'rest so inclines, 
Turns towns to fields, if that suits his designs; 
All ventures makes mere reckless games of chance, 
Compels all markets, as he pipes, to dance; 



186 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

Shows favor here, discrimination there; 

All business life controls through freight and 

fare; 
To combinations gives, from men withholds; 
On whims of his the world commercial moulds ; 
For his own gain his trusting friends he robs. 
And scruples at no crime, contriving "jobs." 
On cities now, and now on men he preys, 
T* increase his pelf his corporation flays. 
Thus hind 'ring, helping, as caprice inspires, 
In mill or furnace, damps or kindles fires;' 
New mines now opens, old ones now shuts up, 
Withholds or gives the life-infusing cup ; 
A law regards, obeys a court decree,^ 
If they with int'rest can be made agree. 
Does as he pleases all the Nation o'er, 
Has one land conquered — and he weeps for more. 

He builds great colleges to teach the youth ^ 
His ways are just — as learning's leading truth ; 
Political economy rewrites 
To show who wars on him 'gainst nature fights. 

' One means used bj' large corporations to expel unionism from 
their mills has been to agree to unionize the mills that they in- 
tended to close. Cf. Report on the Conditions of Employment in 
the Iron and Steel Industry in the United States. Prepared under 
the direction of Charles P. Neill, Commissioner of Labor, 191 1, 
Vol. 3, ch. 4. 

^ "We must make it so that the poor man will have as nearly 
as possible an equal opportunity in litigating as the rich man; 
and under present conditions, ashamed as we may be of it, this is 
not the fact. "—William H. Taft. 

3 Several colleges became undenominational in order to secure 
endowments from the Carnegie Corporation, and pensions for 
professors from the "Carnegie Foundation for the Advance- 
ment of Teaching." Chicago University was opened October 
I, 1892. 



CI VITAS 187 

He pulpits pays, to keep the churches sound — 

Till in the pews the rich are only found; 

To cultured souls has able sermons read, 

With stones for bread, has hungry ignor'nce fed. 

To clothes, not souls, the temple's portals ope. 

And in their styles is seen the ground for hope. 

In golden currents flows the gospel tide — 

Religion serves to minister to pride. 

"Salvation, O salvation," loud is sung; 

"Salvation, O salvation," still is rung. 

"Salvation, O salvation" — but for whom? 

For whom is life made glad, and bright the tomb ? 

The gorgeous temples modest worth repel, 

'Gainst fine phrased sermons untrained minds rebel. 

The int'rest in the preaching always flags 

When snobs, in broadcloth, sit by men in rags. 

The gospel for the rich suits not the poor, 

And for them heav'n should keep a sep'rate door. 

It might a scandal prove, for long debate, 

If they should meet before the pearly gate. 

Meanwhile, on earth, divergence greater grows, 

As Plutocrat his strifes more widely sows. 

The schools, as well as churches, he divides 

By class distinctions, showing life's two sides; 

For foolish fashions lives of children shape. 

And strain the purse, wealth's foppery to ape; 

And drive full many a boy to toil from school 

Whose parents are too poor to play the fool. 

Excite mean rivalries does Plutocrat 

Between the nabob's son and poor man's "brat. " 

To humble labor and his power increase, 
By thousands he imports here, under lease, 
Bohemian hordes, barbarians of all climes, 
To push the wageman down as up he climbs. . 



i88 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

He gets his workmen cheap from these rude tribes,* 
And, ere long, voters swarm to take his bribes. 

O'er man and mill and manufactory, 
O'er officer of low and high degree, 
O'er colleges and schools and church and state, 
O'er laws and courts — o'er all he was elate. 

Anarchy Overthrows Plutocracy. 

A lawless power is lawlessly destroyed; 
In vain to save, is lawful power employed. 
Who want protection must obed'ence give; 
Must die by violence who lawless live. 
Who taketh up the sword must by it fall, 
For sovereign law supreme reigns o'er us all. 

When he began his book Mr. Campbell saw no 
ending but disaster, but rather than give it an 
unhappy ending he made this concession to hope. 
Whether his first or second thought was correct, 
events have yet to prove. 

Mr. Campbell borrowed the necessary money 
and, accompanied by Mr. Wilson, went to New 
York and arranged for the book's publication. 
The proceeds from its sale about covered what he 
had spent on it. 

' "Another striking characteristic of the labor conditions in the 
iron and steel industry is the large proportion of unskilled 
workmen in the labor force. These unskilled workmen are 
very largely recruited from the ranks of recent immigrants. " — 
Report on Conditions of Employmeni in the Iron and Steel 
Industry in the United States. Prepared under the direction 
of Charles P. Neill, Commissioner of Labor (191 1), vol. I., p. xvi. 



CI VITAS 189 

In these days much is said of the duty that 
college men owe the country. Twenty-seven 
years ago Mr. Campbell delivered an address 
before the Western Reserve Alumni Association 
that develops this idea. As it is a characteristic 
statement of his views, and contains much of his 
philosophy of life, these extracts are given : 



Do not imagine, my friends, for a single moment 
that I am come into this presence and under the 
influence of these hallowed associations, to criticize 
the admirable mental discipline here obtainable, or 
to sneer at the culture here offered, or to belittle those 
ideals of aim and endeavor with which all student life 
is, or should be, inspired. God forbid. But I am come 
to deplore the use made of this discipline, the prostitu- 
tion of this culture, and the abandonment, in the press 
and activities of actual life, of these high ideals. The 
theme of the hour will be, "The duty devolved by an 
imperiled Republic, and a menaced civilization, on 
the college-bred, the educated sons of America. " 

Of what a country are we citizens, and of what a 
civilization are we partakers, but the genius of our 
republic and of our civilization is one and the same; 
the genius of manhood untrammeled and free, the 
genius that works the beneficent wonders of our mar- 
velous development and is the spring, the inspiration, 
and the hope of all modern life. 

These are some of the things which a free manhood, 
the genius of Hberty, has done for the enlightenment, 



IQO LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

the elevation, and the amelioration of the world; and 
if we betray it not — if we stand steadfastly by it and 
true to it — they are but the beginnings of achieve- 
ments whose full accomplishment would mean for 
man an ideal life, of which it would be thought to-day 
the merest madness even to dare to dream. 

But "there's the rub " ; for that firm allegiance which 
we owe and should pay with constant care, with ever 
jealous solicitude and tireless devotion, we have 
wavered in, we have been indifferent — nay, we have 
been actually false to, in the service of a too successful 
rival for the throne of our homage. That rival is the 
Spirit of Commerce, of trade, of production and ex- 
change, of money-making. It is the child of liberty; 
and yet threatens its overthrow. It is the offspring 
of a free manhood, and yet, with parricidal perfidious- 
ness, menaces its destruction. It is the life of modern 
civilization; and yet it may prove its death. 

Let us not be pessimistic; but yet, nevertheless, 
notwithstanding, let us have courage to see things as 
they are. This one thing is true or all history bears 
false witness: Every government which has flourished, 
every civilization which has smiled on earth hitherto, 
has, soon or late, fallen prey to what at the time 
was regarded as its glory and its strength. To our 
clearer view, in the light of results, it was its weak- 
ness and its shame, but the age which wrought out its 
development and participated in its achievements 
saw through other glasses and measured by a different 
standard. So may it be, so must it be with us, unless 
with our greater experience has come also a greater 
wisdom. 

Now why? Why, since time began, have govern- 
ments and civilizations risen but to fall, flourished but 



CIVITAS 191 

to perish ? The answer is no secret. You have but to 
read to understajid ; you have but to look to see. It is 
because they have not been true to themselves, have 
been false to what should have been the controlling 
principle and purpose in all their aspirations and 
strivings, have chosen rather to enter bondage to 
some passion or ambition, whose gratification circum- 
stances made apparently easy, than to follow with 
unfaltering fidelity the path prescribed by manifest 
destiny. It is here that despotism sees and seizes 
its opportunity. It promises to minister to this 
mastering passion, to serve this controlling ambition, 
and nations, listening to its pretensions, have been 
lured to their doom. Despotism does not seem the 
hateful thing it is, when it first addresses itself to the 
enthralling of a people. On the contrary, it presents 
itself as the true expression, the fair representation 
in governmental form of the National ideal. Only a 
martial people would submit to a military despotism ; 
only a superstitious people would bend their necks to 
receive the yoke of a religious despotism. If this is so, 
and that it is all history proclaims with a clearness 
which does not admit of mistake or misunderstanding, 
our liberties, if threatened at all, must be assailed on 
the side of our national passion or ambition. We need 
not fear the soldier who, under promise of glory 
and dominion as the rewards of valor, leads his legions 
to battle and to victory, nor yet the priest, who 
threatens the timid soul with perdition as the penalty 
of disobedience and so terrorizes it into submission; 
but him rather should our wary vigilance stand 
ready-armed to baffle and defeat, who asks the power 
to plunder at will, under the assurance that he will 
always generously give far more than he takes, or seeks 



192 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

absolute control of the commerce of the country 
in return for the pledge that he will develop the 
resources of the nation, build up its industries, and 
promote its prosperity. I mean by this that the only 
possibility of danger to this republic, under conditions 
as they exist to-day, lies in the direction of a com- 
mercial despotism; and I do believe and say that this 
is not now merely a remote possibility, but is rapidly 
becoming a most alarming probability. 

A hundred years ago, our Republic was bom, out of 
trial and poverty and almost despair, into a splendid 
promise and a magnificent hope; and, as we recall 
the story of her growth, how completely, apparently, 
has that promise been fulfilled and that hope at- 
tained. For years wages followed toil, and competence 
rewarded industry and thrift. Where want and 
wretchedness had clung, with slender hold, to hovels of 
misery and despair, homes of plenty and happiness 
and blessing looked smiling into the face of Heaven, 
as if to challenge its holy rivalry. 

No wonder that an exultant optimism should view 
with admiration material triumphs like these, so fair 
to see, so hopeful, so inspiring. No wonder that it 
should contemplate with a confidence alloyed with 
no misgiving, the possibilities of a development 
whose veriest beginnings could boast such prodigies of 
achievement. 

Unfortunately there is another side to the picture, 
another chapter to the history. The relation between 
work and wages, which a hundred years ago was fixed 
by the law of free competition, when industry, skill, and 
thrift were the tests of merit and apportioned the 
rewards, is to-day determined by bitter, destructive 



CIVITAS 193 

industrial wars, in which colossal combinations of 
capital and wide-reaching labor organizations are the 
fierce, the desperate, and the more and more uncom- 
promising combatants. If hovels are fewer and homes 
are happier, palaces are relatively more, and the gulf 
between the rich and the poor has widened — become 
well-nigh impassable toward the attractive shore, 
save by the rare and daring few. 

Schools, elementary and collegiate, instead of being 
the nurseries of noble, self-sacrificing servants of their 
country and their kind, are beginning to see the ful- 
fillment of their highest mission in a special technical 
training, essentially selfish and belittling in its scope 
and trend, as its ideal of excellence and efficiency is 
not the good it makes it possible for its recipient to 
do, but the pecuniary returns it enables him to secure. 
When education, whose sublime purpose should be the 
drawing out, the developing of the latent powers of the 
individual to the perfecting of manly character and a 
lofty appreciation of the duties and responsibilities of 
life, has thus degenerated into a grindstone process 
of sharpening faculties to drive bargains and to discern 
shrewdly the exchange value of all things, small and 
great, not only of lands and wares and stocks, but 
of sacred things, of truth, of learning, of scholarship, 
of convictions of the soul, of impulses of the heart, of 
scruples of the conscience, let then the curfew toll the 
knell of manhood's "parting day" and night close 
down on civilization's golden promise. If the founda- 
tion be laid in mire, what can you expect the super- 
structure to be!* 

Churches, where, if anywhere on earth, petty class 

distinctions should vanish or count for naught and a 

common faith should be a sure pledge of a brotherly 
13 



194 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

right to an equal participation in their services and 
ministrations, are in danger of becoming Httle more 
than a sort of social arrangement, a kind of pious club 
house where religious forms are observed for good 
manners' sake, and the cash value of Christian labors 
is annually accurately computed from the sum of 
the contributions to the mission fund and other 
benevolences. 

The railroad, whose locomotive whistle, without 
any stretch of imagination, seemed the trumpet call 
"To advance" to the too laggard forces of civilization, 
was not slow to perceive, as an organized power, that 
its possession of the highways gave it the country to 
rule, and as it swayed its absolute scepter, commerce 
and manufacturing thrived or died at its caprice, courts 
bowed to do its will, great cities bent their necks to 
receive its yoke, powerful States laid down their in- 
dependence to be enrolled among its provinces, and 
Congress and legislatures consented to become mere 
corporation boards of directors to record its decrees. 
It has not stopped here. Not content with corrupting, 
subverting, and usurping the legislative and judicial 
powers of the State, it has, with an audacity which 
has never been rivaled and with a success but too ap- 
parent and complete, assumed to abrogate the natural 
law of free competition which, by right Divine, was 
supposed to reign supreme in the world commercial. 
To favored corporations in chosen lines of industry or 
trade, it showed, with its aid, the possibility of suc- 
cessful combination, and with them formed its unholy 
alliance to destroy where opposition was too weak 
to resist, and to bribe where it was too strong to be 
forced. Individuals were swallowed up in corporations, 
corporations lost in combines, combines merged in 



CIVITAS 195 

trusts which, as their only hope for long and prosper- 
ous Hfe, ding in faithful vassalage to the Lord High 
Paramount of the modern feudal system, the railroad 
power. Monopoly has been substituted for com- 
petition, arbitrary power for freedom, in supplying 
the demand for the necessaries and conveniences 
of life. 

We are told that there is in all this nothing to 
excite alarm, that it is a cheapening and an improving 
of production, that it is an economizing in the methods 
of distribution, that it is giving to the great body of 
the people and to all the people more comforts and at 
less cost than was ever before known in the history of 
the world. 

Is it not strange that no one seems startled at the 
infamy of the insinuation that Americans would, for 
one moment, think of putting their free institutions 
into the scales to be weighed out against so many 
pennies? Is it not "passing strange" that a gener- 
ation which has not even yet forgotten to exult in the 
self-denying heroism of a quarter of a century ago, 
which for thirteen dollars a month marched to disease 
and wounds and prison and death that a government 
of the people should not perish from the earth, should 
calmly listen to labored argument to show that liberty 
makes dear coal oil ? Does it not transcend belief that 
sons of sires, whose blood was not doled out in nig- 
gardly drops, but was poured out in unstinted streams, 
that this priceless heritage of liberty and law might be 
won and be bequeathed to their children, should be 
found, with pencil and paper, carefully and coolly 
computing, from a money and an arithmetical stand- 
point, the relative value of a free manhood and refined 
sugar? Could a more forcible illustration of the de- 



196 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

bauching influence of the mercantile spirit on public 
discussion, character, and life be given? 

But I am here, perhaps, admonished that I am 
playing with words, am guilty of double dealing, am 
confusing things which are, in their nature, distinct, 
that a commercial despotism is not only not the same 
thing but is, in fact, a very different thing from a politi- 
cal despotism. I answer that the difference is more 
seeming than real. I answer that, if there be in the 
State an irresponsible power which can lay violent 
hold on the means of livelihood and springs of happi- 
ness, it will not be long before its extortions will need, 
and it will demand the sanction of governmental 
authority. Power is never satisfied. The greater it 
is, the greater it would be. Opposition but feeds 
the passion for aggrandizement. If laws hamper, 
they must be repealed; if popular indignation resents, 
it must be legislated out of the way — into crime or 
impotence. The difference between a commercial 
and a political despotism does not break out into 
irreconcilable antagonisms in the lobbies of our 
legislative halls unless, which unfortunately is too 
rarely the case, the price of votes runs too high. 
It does not manifest itself, either, at our caucuses, 
where the representatives of great corporations, most 
loud in their protestations of unfaltering devotion to 
popular interests, bitterly struggle for party nomina- 
tions, and use the money of their masters to corrupt 
the choice of conventions; nor yet at our elections, 
where they are tireless in plying their arts and their 
gold to make citizens careless of their rights or blind 
to their duties. No, whenever a spirit dominates a peo- 
ple, absorbing their interest, moulding their thought, 
and giving direction to their ambition and character 



CIVITAS 197 

to their life, it will, if possible, force their govern- 
ment to carry its colors and follow its lead. So it 
has been with us. 

The commercial spirit has entered the domain of 
our politics, given color and character to our political 
campaigns, furnished its "mules" and "blocks of 
fire" as its new and improved weapons in partisan 
warfare, and sought to school workingmen, farmers, 
and manufacturers into the belief that government's 
chief end was to legislate up wages and profits. It has 
substituted, for appeals to patriotism as the sole motive 
for political action, argtunents addressed to mean self 
interest as though they alone should weigh with men 
of sense. Corruption has thus become a trade; 
bribery, an art; and jobbery, one of the recognized 
professions. 

Business methods when applied to politics, it is 
admitted, might well excite alarm, if fields for their 
employment could be discovered sufficiently extensive 
to produce permanent or generally disastrous results. 
Do you doubt the existence of such fields, or the 
possibility of their discovery? 

Look down, if you will, into the slums of our great 
cities, whence all reverence for law has fled; where 
crime is never guilt, except as it is detected, and its 
commission never dreaded, except as it costs; where 
ballot boxes are stuffed, tally sheets are forged, and 
counting is of more consequence than casting votes; 
where constituted authority, itself, lays its unhallowed 
foundations in license to lawlessness, and popularity 
is the reward of official infidelity, where all things are 
for sale, office, for the power to plunder the public 
under guise of performing contracts, or the privilege of 
engaging in illegal traffic; votes, for cash in hand, an 



198 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

hour's debauch, or a night's revel. What a school for 
slaves is that! "Where all life dies death lives." 
Where manhood is mocked as the weakling birth of 
a sickly sentimentality or a prudish piety, liberty 
will only be seen as the shameless prostitute laughing 
her derision at the wholesome restraints of law, and 
making merry over a decline of public virtue by 
which alone can society be saved from an inundation 
of ruin. Where the ballot is only prized as the means 
of extorting a bribe, the government will be despotic, 
purchasing ever new power to plunder with the pro- 
ceeds of power once bought. Where politics is pur- 
sued for the profit in it, and a statesman is the boss 
of a hireling gang, principles of government will be 
only merchandise, and the hand, liberal with largesses, 
has but to reach to seize an absolute scepter. Where 
a Catiline, with his dissolute bands, can seriously 
menace the peace and safety of the state, a Caesar of 
the needed type is always standing near. Here is 
the explanation of the expensiveness of campaigns 
and of the necessity every party feels, of having at its 
back a large pecuniary interest in the issue of the 
contest and millionaire aspirants for posts of honor 
and distinction. So, in the slums of our great cities, 
in the haunts of vice, where want and ignorance and 
crime have formed their triple alliance against the 
republic, and where the pearls of our liberties, priceless 
and glistening, are lightly thrown to be trampled in 
the mire or to be bartered for bread or brutishness, 
may the architects of a commercial despotism find 
ready at hand their workshops, their tools and their 
materials. 

Look now again. Feel trembling beneath your 
feet the very foundations of the republic. In too 



CI VITAS 199 

many States of this Union the republican form of 
government, guaranteed to them by the Constitution, 
crime and craft have undermined, overthrown, de- 
stroyed, and the governments of these States are no 
more creations of the popular choice than is the au- 
tocracy of Russia or the imperialism of Japan. And 
mark : This condition of affairs is not the result of any 
sudden localized ebullition of popular fury, which 
assails the polling place, destroys the ballot box, burns 
the tally sheets, and nullifies an election. If it were 
only that, there would be room to hope for a return 
to sober sense and the fruits of repentance, but it is 
very much more than that. It is as wide as States, 
as extensive as their authority, a considered policy, 
a confirmed practice, an established usurpation. It is 
an usurpation of the rights of the many by the few. 
It is tyranny, here in this land dedicated to freedom, 
showing "his horrid head" in derision of the Declar- 
ation of Independence that "governments derive 
their just power from the consent of the governed." 
It is an insult flung in the very teeth of liberty. It is 
a sneer at free institutions leering out on the very 
face of the republic. It is despotism throwing down 
the glove of challenge to popular government and 
gloating over the pusillanimity which dares not take 
it up. And the victims of this usurpation, this 
tyranny, this despotism, who are they but the wage- 
workers and the peasantry, the great mass of the 
people of the oppression-doomed section? It is prop- 
erty asserting its right to govern poverty without its 
consent ; capital, to rule labor in contempt of its will ; 
intelligence, to enslave ignorance with or without its 
leave. The worst of it is that it is an assertion of right 
which the mercantilism of our country and our age 



200 LIFE OF WALTERL. CAMPBELL 

bridicules every attempt to dispute, andattriutes every 
effort even to discuss to political demagogy, partisan 
malignity, or sectional hate ; but if it cannot be really 
disputed, if it is so clearly true that it does not admit of 
discussion, then, surely, has our republic been builded 
on a false and hence a failing foundation, with nothing 
certainly before it but in-etrievable disaster and hope- 
less doom. A nation cannot, any more than a man, 
long thrive on a lie. If, however, it is not true; if, in 
the solution of the industrial problems now pressing 
politically, the honest opinion of the poor as well as 
the rich, of the wage-earners as well as of the capital- 
ists, of the ignorant as well as of the learned, is entitled 
to fair, legal expression and just consideration, 

"Till jarring interests of themselves create 
The according music of a well mixed state, " 

then how clearly must it appear that plutocracy, in 
the disfranchisement of more than a half of a million 
of probably adverse voters, has obtained for itself an 
undue, perhaps a decisive advantage in the pending 
struggle and wrought an incalculable wrong to the 
nation at large. 

Look now again, to the far-off West, where pioneer 
life is budding and blossoming into new States as fast 
as they can be voted in, where cattle kings and mining 
magnates hold their fiefs and reign as princes. Addi- 
tions these seem to be, or to be in danger of becoming, 
to the too many already existing rotten boroughs 
whence the United States Senate recruits that sort 
of energy which presages dissolution. Deplorable, in- 
deed, would it be, if what was once "the sheet anchor 
of the Constitution" should become its peril and 
reproach; but some of its seats seem to have been for 



CIVITAS 201 

sale and at a price to attract buyers. Whether it is 
because the mercantile spirit has more completely 
than elsewhere enthralled the inhabitants of these 
States, or because the scantiness of their population of- 
fers an inviting field for the employment of money with 
a view to political results, or because their interests, 
large from a pecuniary standpoint but small numeri- 
cally and little diversified, can be readily united to buy 
representation in the government with the promise of 
returns in legislation, or because they feel there the 
more urgent need of those instrumentalities of modem 
commerce, the railroad and the telegraph, and care- 
less of the future and the consequence, sacrifice all that 
the immediate want may be supplied; whether it be 
because of any or all of these things, the fact is clear, 
and important as clear, that some of our newer States 
have, with most unseemly haste, sworn allegiance to 
this upstart despotism and led the van in this most 
dastardly assault on constitutional liberty. If older, 
graver, and more dignified commonwealths have not 
been slow to catch the inspiration from the young, the 
bold, and the dashing, and have been quick to follow 
where they in madness led, * ' The more the shame and 
the pity." Here, then, in the slums of our great 
cities where want and ignorance and vice stretch forth 
their eager and unclean hands to clutch the proffered 
bribe — in the South where the people are already 
prostrate at the feet of a most foul usurpation, and in 
the North and West where the waving of a golden 
wand more potent chan was the rod 

"Of Amram's son in Egypt's evil day," 

converts, in a twinkling, expert stock gamblers into 
flourishing statesmen — here, I say, are fields which 



202 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

need but too little cultivation to flower into most 
abundant harvests for despotism's garnering. 

Wealth is thus a political power, and if there be 
substantial inequality, certainly if there be substantial 
inequity in its distribution, there is in it a most 
weighty suggestion of imminent peril to our free life. 
That there is this substantial inequity, this substantial 
inequality in the distribution of the wealth of the 
country, philosophers own by their efforts to dream 
out an explanation of it ; philanthropists admit by their 
attempts to alleviate the hardships it breeds; states- 
men acknowledge by their industrious endeavors 
at statutory remedies; and statistics proclaim with a 
demonstration that is altogether startling in its cer- 
tainty and clearness. We have but to open our own 
eyes to see ; we have but to attend to the evidences un- 
folding around us to be convinced. The wealth of 
the United States is rapidly massing in the possession 
— and is far more rapidly passing under the control — of 
numbers so small that attempts, which can scarcely be 
regarded as altogether unsuccessful, have been made to 
set down the names of the owners of the country, that 
they may answer at call of roll. Wealth with its con- 
centrated povv^er, capital with its combined energy, 
has already taken the field, and with its railroads, 
associations, trusts, is noiselessly advancing on the 
very citadel of our liberties. On the other side can 
be heard the ominous roar of angry voices and the 
tumultuous tramp of wrathful feet, as with little or- 
ganization but with desperate resolve, communism 
and anarchism, revolutionary and terrible, are mar- 
shaling their allied hosts for a mad assault on the 
same fortress of our hopes. 



CI VITAS 203 

To avert this crisis, what has been done in the past, 
what will be done in the future by the college bred — 
the educated sons of America? They have learned at 
the feet of instructors whose lofty ideals of duty to 
country and civilization never made synonyms of 
money and manhood, material prosperity and civil 
liberty. Have they been faithful to these instructions , 
loyal to these ideals thus taught and lived ? Minister 
of a faith whose Divine Founder never sold a thought 
or made merchandise of a truth . . . have you never 
figured up to yourself just exactly how much it was 
likely to cost you in dollars and cents if you should 
venture to tell the whole truth? Have you always 
been equally eloquent and ardent in denouncing the 
irreligion of injustice on the part of employers as in 
lauding the beauty of the virtue of contentment on 
the part of employees? Have lockouts by capital, 
with their brood of miseries, been, in your preaching, 
less serious offenses against the peace of society and 
the precepts of Christianity than strikes by labor 
with all their attendant mischiefs? In a word, has 
the gospel you have preached been, so far as you were 
able, patterned, always, and in all respects, after that 
which was taught by lips divine on the hillsides of 
Palestine, "which the common people heard gladly"? 

I am asking questions simply, not answering them . 
The masses of the people in our cities find no religious 
home or asylum save as it is offered (I speak it most 
respectfully) by those antipodes in faith and form and 
worship, the Church of Rome and the Salvation Army, 
and you are asking "why?" Perhaps a candid, dis- 
passionate response to the questions I have put may 
suggest an answer to the vexing query. If mercantil- 
ism stood less in temples and at altars, if preachers 



204 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

felt themselves more ambassadors of God and less 
servants of fashion to give a weekly, literary entertain- 
ment, if they glued their thoughts for six days of a 
week on the text selected, and patiently, persistently, 
piously, sought to ascertain its real meaning, regard- 
less of the effect of its telling, I firmly believe that on 
the remaining day they would ascend their pulpits and 
stand behind their sacred desks with soul aglow, with 
brain on fire, with lips burning to deliver the message 
they had learned from on high, and once more as of 
yore, just as truly, just as really, though in a very 
different sense and way, the blind would see, the 
lame walk, the lepers be cleansed, the deaf hear, the 
dead be raised up, and (lo, the climax of the Lord's 
work as he himself described it) the poor would have 
the gospel preached to them. 

The educated lawyers of the land, with their mental 
powers trained, quickened, sharpened by a course at 
college, where are they to be found in the insidious war 
now waging between a commercial despotism, on one 
hand, and liberty and manhood, on the other? The 
annals of their most honorable profession are bright 
with records of devotion to the laws of the State, as 
unselfish, as uncompromising as ever crowned martyr 
who died for his faith, with defiance of the arbitrary 
power, which would subvert or annul them at will, as 
fearless, as heroic, as ever immortalized soldier who 
fell in battle. Theirs has been, indeed, a splendid 
opportunity to direct the current of legislation, to 
mould judicial decision and to apply old and estab- 
lished principles to new and changing conditions, and, 
if they had, with patriotic courage and resolution, em- 
braced it, we should not be to-day face to face with a 
peril whose magnitude we cannot appreciate and whose 



CI VITAS 205 

possible outcome we dare not even imagine. They, 
too, unfortunately have accepted the commercial 
standard as the true measure of success, and for the 
money in it, have forced statutory constructions 
which have thwarted the legislative will, refined, 
by their logic, ancient and time-honored principles out 
of all recognition, and made justice, in its practical 
administration, dependent more on the length of the 
purse than the merits of the cause. Too often, as the 
merest hirelings, they have engaged service with 
corporations, associations, trusts, and devoted their 
magnificent powers to making smooth the otherwise 
impossible path of usurpation. Professional pride 
once looked to the bench, as the crowning reward of an 
honorable career at the bar; but to-day, the successful 
practitioner sets his fees over against the salary of a 
judge, and is more than content. If the ermine is 
occasionally assmned for a season by marked ability, 
it is, too often, with Raleigh-like courtliness, thrown 
into the mud to win favor with a "Lord Superior" 
client who would make head with the people by hav- 
ing in his service an ex-judge thrall. 

So I might go on through the so-called liberal 
professions, whose members have certainly been 
educated to better things, and show the gradual lower- 
ing of time-honored standards to meet the tests of 
merit which mercantilism prescribes. The medical 
practitioner, for instance, touches at but few points 
the conduct of public affairs or the administration of 
justice; and yet, I have heard him, an expert on the 
stand, a witness under oath, playing the part of an 
advocate or an attorney, adroitly parrying questions 
based on undisputed facts in the case, shrewdly quali- 
fying, doubting or even denying uncontroverted teach- 



206 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

ings of his science and beclouding his whole testimony, 
with an evident purpose to blind both court and jury, 
with so much of technical phraseology and nicety of 
distinction that, when he was done, it was hard to tell 
whether he had been diagnosing a diseased liver or a 
fractured limb, and all — for fifty or one hundred 
dollars a day according to his reputation, or a fee 
contingent on the result of the litigation. These 
are some of the things which, in the beginning, I 
deplored as abuses of mental discipline, as prostitu- 
tions of culture, as abandonments of the high ideals of 
student life. 

It was no part of the original purpose of this address 
to suggest remedies for these ills. I should be more 
than content if I had made even one educated man 
feel that there were perils menacing this republic 
deserving more than a passing thought or a contemp- 
tuous sneer. I may not have done even this, but 
educated patriots will be without excuse if they walk 
with closed eyes and fail to discern the signs of the 
times. 

Suppose that there be the inclination to act; what 
can then be done? By educated Americans, every- 
thing! They are "the saving remnant." If, for one 
short year, they would devote but one half the thought 
they are now giving to the accumulation of property 
to the solution of these most momentous problems, 
their difficulties would vanish as the night before 
the day. They would not, perhaps, become apostles of 
the "new gospel of wealth" which would distribute 
to communities, during the lifetime of the possessors, 
fortunes won from them by industry, capacity, or 
even fraud; for they would know that, while the knight 
errantry of chivalry might be a bright spot in the dark- 



CI VITAS 207 

ness of feudalism, it would be anything but a perma- 
nent relief from its mischiefs. They would go to the 
root of the matter. 

They would see that education should be directed to 
making worthy citizens, rather than mere machines 
for money-getting; that manhood is more to a free 
state than enterprise; and civil liberty, than material 
prosperity. 

They would see that the parent and nurse of real 
social ills are discriminating laws, that partial legis- 
lation is as impolitic as it is unjust. 

They would see that tampering with the currency 
of the country, at the behest of a dominant and 
dominating interest, is but robbery glossed over with 
congressional authority, whether it comes in the shape 
of paying coin obligations in depreciated paper or 
silver obligations in appreciated gold. 

They would see that the abuse of credit, under 
power legislatively conferred, pillages the multitude to 
the enriching of the few, and is, more than any other 
one thing, responsible for the existing disparities in the 
distribution of wealth. 

They would see that corruption in politics would 
wane, as the alliance between business and politics 
is broken, that bribery would cease in proportion as 
the inducement to resort to it is gone. 

They would see that the state's ownership of its own 
highways is but the exercise of a necessary attribute of 
sovereignty as "Who owns the highways, owns the 
state in fee," that transmitting and delivering tele- 
grams are just as legitimately functions of govern- 
ment as carrying the mails, and that, as the railroads 
and telegraphs alone make possible and dangerous 
wide-reaching commercial and manufacturing com- 



2o8 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

binations, so their absolute control by the state would 
be the beginning of the end of trusts. 

They would see that, when monopoly, of any sort, 
becomes too strong for free competition to break, 
socialism, in public ownership and control, suggests 
the only sure defense against rapacity and possible 
oppression; that, when governmental interference 
gives to one person, class, interest, or pursuit an undue 
advantage over another, individualism, in its maxim of 
"Hands off," points out the only infallible remedy 
for resulting ills. They would see that, thus, indi- 
vidualism, within its sphere, would contribute of its 
freedom, independence, and aspiration to the develop- 
ment of national character and life, without the threat 
of anarchy; and that socialism, within its sphere, 
would assert a beneficent power in checking the aggres- 
sions of the mighty, without the menace of despotism. 
They, in a word, would seek and find the cause of every 
real complaint or grievance, and, when they had 
discovered it, would, with patriotic courage and fear- 
lessness, apply the remedy which justice, the essential 
principle of liberty, prescribes and requires. 

Instead of doing this, educated America, with 
enough and to spare of the good things of earth for 
itself, and fearful of changes, has answered each cry 
of distress as it arose, if it has even condescended 
to heed it at all, with an ejaculation of disgust at "the 
thriftlessness and improvidence of the masses," ac- 
companied with something of self-adulation over its 
own prudence and capacity, has met each honest 
effort at practical relief with a contemptuous sneer 
at "socialistic agitation and demagogy," as it is 
pleased to stigmatize everything which regards as of 
any significance popular discontents. 



CI VITAS 209 

I say to you, brethren, this will not do. I say to 
you, and to those who, like you, owe much of the man- 
hood in them and all of the life they consider really 
worth the having, save what comes from the sacred 
ties of family and friendship, to what has been be- 
stowed by Western Reserve and colleges like it, that 
upon you and them rests and abides an awful respon- 
sibility. These complaints, these grievances, these 
injustices, these oppressions, with their consequences 
real and imagined are too wide-reaching, too many, 
too general, too palpable to be whistled down. You 
must be politicians, you must concern yourselves 
about them, if you would leave this republic as great, 
as free, as just, as you received it. We are groping, it 
may be, in the dusk of a night, dark with unutterable 
woe to liberty and to man; or we are walking, let 
us hope, in the dawn of a day, bright with ineffable 
promise for us, for our children, for the world. The 
college-bred, the educated sons of America, cannot, 
dare not, be indifferent to an issue which they may, if 
they only will, correctly determine. 
14 



CHAPTER XI 

LATER PUBLIC ACTIVITIES — THE SILVER QUESTION 

In the spring of 1887, Mr. Campbell was a 
candidate for nomination on the Republican ticket 
for Probate Judge. After he had entered the 
race and announced his candidacy, he found that 
he was to be opposed by Major Woodworth, his 
old friend and the man to whom he had given such 
wholehearted support both in his congressional 
campaigns and during his terms in the national 
House of Representatives. Major Woodworth 
owed much to him and it was almost unbelievable 
that he should go into the field against him. He 
did this, however, and successfully, securing the 
nomination. Mr. Campbell was not happy in his 
choice of political friends ; he would work for them 
unceasingly only to have them fail him or as in 
this instance oppose themselves to him when he 
needed their support. 

On the first of July of this same year, Mr. 
Campbell entered into a law partnership with 
Mr. Jared Huxley. It lasted for only six months, 

210 



LATER PUBLIC ACTIVITIES 211 

when it was dissolved by the mutual consent of 
the members. There was no ill-feeling involved, 
each man preferring to work separately. 

After the RepubHcan victory of 1888, Mr. 
Campbell sought a government appointment of 
some sort, preferably that of Governor of one 
of the Territories. In this he had the support 
of the leading citizens of Youngstown and of 
many of Cleveland as well. It is interesting to 
note that the first signature on the Cleveland 
petition is that of M. A. Hanna. Among others 
Senator Sherman promised him his support and his 
friends were sure that he would obtain the desired 
appointment, but again he was to be disappointed. 
This is the last time that he even tried to secure 
any political office, although his name was fre- 
quently mentioned in connection with various ones. 
He never again consented to run. The following 
letter is found among Mr. Campbell's papers. It is 
not known whether it was sent but it serves to give 
his own view of his achievements up to this time. 

Youngstown, O., Nov. 19, 1888. 

Hon. John Sherman, U. S. S. 

Washington, D. C. 
My Dear Senator : 

Mr. McCurdy has shown me a note from you in 
which, accompanied with assurances of warm friend- 



212 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

ship and kind regard which, I scarcely need say, are 
heartily appreciated and cordially reciprocated, is an 
intimation that my blindness would be hardly less than 
a fatal objection to my making successful application 
for a governorship of one of the territories. I am not 
surprised that it should so appear to you at first sight. 
Indeed, I have been so accustomed to meet this 
objection at every step of my life thus far that I 
might, perhaps, have occasion for just surprise, did I 
not encounter it now. Do not think, Mr. Senator, 
that I question for one moment either your fairness, 
your friendship or sincerity. Your frankness but con- 
firms the faith I have had in you in these respects 
during all these years. It is because of this, this 
confidence in your justice and personal regard that 
leads me to ask for a hearing before the objection 
alluded to becomes fixed and unalterable in your mind . 
Forgive me now if, under the stress of my present 
circumstances, I presume to write to you as I have 
never yet written or spoken to any man. Do not set 
it down to egotism, but rather to an earnest desire 
to serve truthfully my necessities. I have not 
accomplished the impossible by any means, but I 
have done that which many wise, true, and good friends 
too hastily considered such. I never have, I never 
would attempt that which I was not morally certain I 
could do. When I made up my mind to enter college, 
advising friends drove the Greek and the higher 
mathematics in as lions into the path to deter me. 
Lions afar off, I have observed, nearly always turn 
out to be mere harmless kittens on nearer approach. 
At least, so it was in this case. Taking the whole 
curriculum of Western Reserve, now Adelbert College, 
omitting nothing, asking no odds, and shown no favors, 



LATER PUBLIC ACTIVITIES 213 

I was graduated second in my class, and this in spite 
of the fact of an inadequate preparation. Professor 
Parsons (the author of the Contracts and many other 
law books), Governor Washburn (the author of the 
Real Estate) and Judge Holmes, composing at the time 
the faculty of the Harvard Law School, gave me on 
leaving that institution, without any suggestion or 
solicitation on my part, a letter which certainly proves 
that my course there was no less successful than that at 
Western Reserve. It was at this time that Wyoming 
was erected into a territory and my brother was 
appointed by President Grant its first Governor. He 
wanted me to go with him to assist in the organization 
of the territory and I did so. The work of the first 
legislature was, as you will readily conceive, necessarily 
very great as it involved starting at the beginning and 
building up from the foundation. It was this legis- 
lature, unanimously Democratic in both branches, 
out of gratitude for the services I had rendered, which 
requested the Governor by petition signed by every 
member of the Council but one, and every member 
of the House but two, to appoint me Treasurer of the 
territory. This appointment, for obvious personal 
and sound political reasons, was not made by the 
Governor and would have been declined by me. I am 
recounting these things, Mr. Senator, simply to show 
that obstacles which seem great and insurmountable 
to those who are not acquainted with me are not 
considered at all by those with whom I have been 
associated. 

I fear I am taxing your patience, but I have begged 
for an audience in a matter in which I am vitally 
interested, and I am sure that you will not refuse me 
that. On returning to Ohio, unfortunately and in- 



214 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

opportunely, I drifted into journalism; unfortunately, 
because I am convinced that I should never have aban- 
doned the law, and inopportunely, because the Repub- 
lican party was soon to be rent by questions growing 
out of the removal of the county seat and the resump- 
tion of specie payments. For eight years, however, 
I ran a daily paper, if not to my pecuniary advantage, 
at least to the local benefit, building up and restor- 
ation of the Republican party to power. Had I had 
fewer convictions and less devotion to sound principles, 
had I followed the Greenback craze and contributed 
to the party disintegration going on instead of resist- 
ing it, it might have been easy to make money and 
achieve a success of a kind certainly not to be coveted. 
Let me say, Mr. Senator, that I have suffered finan- 
cially by standing by Republicanism as represented by 
you in one of the most glorious fights and triumphs 
in all history. In eighteen hundred and eighty-four 
it was thought by the people of this city that the time 
had come to enforce its laws, and I was elected Mayor 
for that purpose. That I enforced the laws as they 
had never been enforced before is universally con- 
ceeded. Ordinances which, it was said, could not be 
made practically operative in a city of twenty-five 
thousand population, came to be regarded as binding 
as any of the criminal laws in the statute book. Be it 
remembered, too, that the duties required of me in this 
office were judicial as well as administrative. Al- 
though the whole criminal class was arrayed against 
me, and no pains or money was spared to break down 
my administration, yet the records of the courts will 
show that no decision of mine was ever reversed or 
judgment set aside. Now do you think that it would 
be harder to discharge successfully the duties of a 



LATER PUBLIC ACTIVITIES 215 

governor of a territory without sight than to do all the 
work required in a college course or in a training for 
the legal profession or taking personal charge of the 
finances of a territory or managing, in all its depart- 
ments, a daily paper or directing the police and hold- 
ing the criminal court of a large city? I know that 
what I seek to do is far less difficult than any one of 
these things that no one denies I have done. Not at 
all for the purpose of hinting at comparison but merely 
with a view of suggesting the difference between the 
really attainable and the seemingly impossible, let me 
call your attention to the fact that the late Post- 
master-General of England was a blind man, and if his 
far greater ability be conceded it will also be con- 
ceded that the responsibilities of his station were far 
greater than those of the office to which I aspire. I am 
only asking for a privilege of doing what I know I 
can do and, as I think, do well. I have written you at 
this great length because I am exceedingly zealous for 
your ardent support. I hope I deserve it and I think 
that my services to the party justly entitle me to it. 
Again begging your pardon for taking so much of your 
time and attention, I remain with the very greatest 
respect yours, very truly, 

Walter L. Campbell. 

Although Mr. Campbell failed to secure the 
desired appointment, money matters took a turn 
for the better. He became agent for the Mutual 
Life Insurance Company of New York, and wrote 
a number of large policies for the company. In 
this he was very successful because his reputation 



2i6 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

for honesty and integrity was such that men were 
ready to rely upon his judgment. It was this, 
with his mathematical brain, that finally made 
him give up the business. He looked below the 
surface of the figures sent out by the insurance 
companies and saw that they apparently promised 
more than they actually did. When he made this 
discovery he stopped writing policies. This was 
the end of his pecuniary difficulties, however. 
Through his brother Amasa, he became inter- 
ested in some Western mines, and through these, 
as well as by other transactions of a similar nature, 
his circumstances became comfortable. While 
never a rich man, during the remaining years of 
his life he always had enough to supply the re- 
quirements of his family. 

In March of 1896, the American Protective 
Association, or A. P. A. as it was commonly 
called, secured the nomination of one of its mem- 
bers for Mayor on the Republican ticket. This 
organization was very strong in Youngstown, 
and the time had come to take a stand against it. 
Consequently a petition to secure a place on the 
ballot sheet for Edmund H. Moore as candidate 
for Mayor on an Independent Citizens' ticket 
was circulated and signed by fifty Republicans. 
Among the fifty was Mr. Campbell. Again con- 



LATER PUBLIC ACTIVITIES 217 

viction was stronger than party ties. The choice 
this time was easier than when he had opposed 
Judge Servis, twenty years before. ' He had put 
himself on record, earHer, as against secret pohtical 
societies when his newspaper had been one of the 
first in the country, ahead of the New York papers, 
to expose the dangerous activities of the Knights 
of Labor. Two years previously, in 1894, Mr. 
Campbell had presided at a meeting in opposition 
to the A. P. A. movement. 

In 1896, the Democratic party nominated Mr. 
Moore after the ' * Petition of Fifty ' ' had been read 
in its convention. Mr. Campbell took a very- 
active part in this campaign. He wrote two 
letters to the Telegram (the Republican organ), 
the second of which was kept for several days 
before it was printed. It was later reprinted 
in the Vindicator (the Democratic organ) and be- 
cause it was probably the determining factor in the 
election and gave the writer's views very clearly it 
is reproduced here and with it an editorial printed 
in the Vindicator on the day following the election. 

To THE Editor of the Telegram: 

The Telegram's distinct disavowal of any attempt 
to array class against class in the present municipal 
campaign is most creditable and removes an impres- 

' Above, pp. 110-116. 



2i8 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

sion which a reading, perhaps too cursory, of its edito- 
rial page tended to leave. We are then fully and fairly 
agreed that the Republican signers of the petition for 
an independent candidate for mayor were not moved 
to their course by the consideration that they were 
rich, if they were, or were college bred, if they were, 
or had not worked in the mills, if indeed they never 
had. Such men as the signers of this petition for 
the most part are, would not break the party ties 
which had held them for a lifetime from caprice or 
whim or carelessness. Indeed, they could not have 
been induced to take so heroic a step excepting 
from considerations the weightiest, from motives the 
strongest, and from reasons the most convincing. 
It is not too much to say either that these must have 
been Republican considerations. Republican motives, 
Republican reasons. I mean considerations and mo- 
tives and reasons that had their birth and influence 
from years of devotion to the Republican party. 
They are not children or fools. They could not be 
easily deceived or be readily made the dupes even of 
one who cherishes Jim Kennedy's dark designs. They 
are men and should be treated as men. Convinced 
that the Telegram would so treat them, were it not 
ignorant, "agnostic," as it expresses it, regarding the 
influences that lead them to oppose Mr. Hartenstein's 
election, I ask once more the use of your columns. 

Secret society politics is wholly Democratic, so far 
as it has had its existence in this country, not at 
all Republican. Tammany Hall in New York City 
stands out as its conspicuous representative in muni- 
cipal government. Whatever it may have been at 
birth, it became nothing but an organized band of 
plunderers, which traded off, sold out its own party's 



LATER PUBLIC ACTIVITIES 219 

candidates, both state and national, when exigency 
required, and managed thus to hold for years, through 
all the mutations of parties, absolute power over the 
greatest city in America. It farmed out offices with 
their salaries, and even courts became the stalking 
places of corruption. It had its favorite contractors 
who despoiled the public in every improvement 
made, to pay their tribute to it. It sold for money 
the greatest municipal franchises, and only limited 
their power to oppress by their willingness to divide. 
It became a stench in the nostrils of all decent people, 
the type of corrupt city government, the synonym of 
municipal misrule. It dominated the state legislature 
and cast its hateful and hated shadow over the whole 
Democratic party. The time came when, for its own 
salvation, the Democratic party was compelled to 
repudiate it, and a brave man could exclaim in 
national convention, " We love Grover Cleveland, and 
we love him most for the enemies he has made." 
The vice was not Democratic government as such, but 
it was secret political society government, stealing 
the name of the Democratic party to accomplish its 
schemes of corruption and robbery. 

There is not a Republican in this city, nay in all 
this broad land, but has been taught through all his 
voting years that Tammany Hall represented all that 
was bad in politics, not merely because it was Demo- 
cratic, but because its schemes, hatched out in secret, 
could not be met and thwarted until they had been 
executed. When you ask a Republican to enthrall 
his city and his party to a similar secret society, you 
are simply inviting him to do the most un-Republican 
thing he knows of, save one. 

There was another secret political society, which 



220 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

cut something of a figure in the history of the land. 
It also chose the Democratic party as the instrument 
for achieving its ends. It was bound together by 
oaths, the same as our A. P. A. brethren. Like them 
the members were permitted to lie and deny their 
membership. Like them it aimed to defeat a provision 
of the constitution of the United States. Like them, 
its end was the disfranchisement of voters it did not like. 
Is there a Republican whose heart within him does not 
bum, whose blood does not boil at the mere mention of 
the Ku Klux Klan ? Is it any wonder that Republicans 
shrink, in the veriest consternation, from the prospect 
of a party domination which, in kind, they loathed 
when the Democratic party was in its toils? Is it 
any wonder that self-respecting Republicans should 
refuse to masquerade in the dirty rags which an 
enlightened age has compelled Democrats to cast off? 
No, Mr. Editor, the wonder is not that some Republi- 
cans have repudiated a secret political society ticket, 
but that all of them do not. A party which battled 
nobly, manfully, against the disfranchisement of negroes 
and carpet-baggers in the South unless it deliberately 
intends to commit hari-kari, cannot be lukewarm, or 
indifferent or even silent when a secret conspiracy is 
formed to defy the constitution of the United States 
and of this State and disfranchise Catholics. 

This society has already nearly every office of 
moment in our city and county. I am told that there 
has not been for two years any appointment to any 
office in our city of anyone. Democrat or Republican, 
who is not a member of it. There are already whis- 
pers that there are favored contractors who, by their 
relation to the organization, have this or that inside 
deal or understanding, but this I do not believe. It is 



LATER PUBLIC ACTIVITIES 221 

too early yet for the balder forms of corruption to 
develop, much less to show themselves. Tammany 
did not achieve its monstrous proportions in a day or 
a year or a decade, but it dies hard and almost as 
slowly as it grew. Republicans have it in their power, 
if they onl}^ will, to be true to their party history and 
traditions and destroy the only serious menace to the 
immediate future of their party, but if they will not, 
if they trifle away their opportunity, rejoice over the 
temporary victory the unholy alliance brings them, so 
surely as the world moves, so surely as the light drives 
away darkness, so surely as the twentieth century with 
its promise and hope is to succeed the sixteenth with 
its bigotry and intolerance, just so surely will they 
repent in defeat and despair the coddling of a beast 
that will rend them. 

It is very poor politics to elect a man to ofhce who 
cannot take the oath without laying perjury on his 
soul, and cannot make an appointment without 
violating his oath. The Republican party may have 
fallen from its high estate where principles were every- 
thing to it, but hardly so low as that. 

The Republican party formerly insisted that it was 
for popular government, it might be Republican, it 
might be Democratic, or Prohibition or Populist, but 
it must be popular, must be of the people, by the 
people, and for the people. Once, it would not have 
tolerated any star chamber which would try and 
adjudge in the dark and sentence and execute in the 
light ; any secret conclave which chose its representa- 
tives upon whom the appointing power was obliged 
to put the seal of its official recognition. Once the 
Republican party was in favor of liberty, of political 
and civil and religious liberty, of the liberty toward 



222 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

which the centuries have been moving and for which 
heroes in every age have been dying. It put into 
the constitution the prohibition against disfranchising 
any American citizen on account of race or color and 
it stood by the prohibition in the constitution against 
disfranchising any American citizen, Christian or 
Jew, Catholic or Protestant, who wanted to travel 
heavenward in his own way. It cannot be possible 
that it can so far have changed as to be unmindful 
of its great past, and of the principles to which it 
owes its life and its glory. The signers of the petition 
have not lost their heads and do not intend to forget 
their Republicanism. 

Very truly yours, 

Walter L. Campbell. 



Hon. W. L. Campbell 

No single factor, perhaps, contributed more to the 
result of yesterday than the very able letter of Hon. 
W. L. Campbell writen to the Telegram and so freely 
used by the Vindicator. 

Few men are given such power of expression as 
Mr. Campbell, fewer have thought as profoundly on 
political and social subjects as he, and far fewer yet 
have the fearless independence of conduct which 
marks his entire life. 

In behalf of thousands of his admiring fellow-citi- 
zens, the Vindicator desires to publicly thank Mr. 
Campbell for his latest conspicuous public service. — 
Youngstown Vindicator, April 7, 1896. 

It was on account of this same issue that the 
Democratic party nominated Mr. Campbell for 



THE SILVER QUESTION 223 

Probate Judge in the following June. His letter 
declining the nomination clearly states his position. 

YouNGSToWN, O., June 25, 1896. 

Hon. E. H. Moore, 

City. 
Dear Sir: — 

This note is addressed to you, because you pre- 
sided over the convention, which as I am informed, 
nominated me last Saturday for Probate Judge. 

This nomination was to me, at once, a surprise, a 
gratification and a pain. It was a surprise, because 
in my interviews on this subject with leading Demo- 
crats, we were agreed, they from their standpoint, 
and I, from mine, that it would not be the wise thing 
to do. It was gratifying, because it was an expres- 
sion of confidence, cordially, warmly given, by a large, 
respectable and representative body of my fellow 
citizens, to whom it had been my fortune to be politi- 
cally opposed, and was, therefore, a compliment which, 
did I not appreciate, I should be heartless, indeed. It 
was painful to me, because, I am persuaded, this expres- 
sion of confidence was given, this compliment was paid 
under a misapprehension, on the part of the majority of 
the convention, of my real attitude in this campaign. 

It is this aspect of the affair that obliges me to 
decline a nomination which, under other conditions, 
I should be glad to accept. As I have followed the 
discussions in the papers and elsewhere, it has become 
more and more clear that I am expected to make this 
race as a Republican on a Democratic ticket. It is 
impossible for me to sail under false colors, and the 
people of this country are, in November, going to vote 



224 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

on one question and no other. They are going to say, 
whether or not, they are in favor of maintaining the 
present single gold standard, with all that that implies. 
Those, who believe that the highest National good 
is to be attained through falling prices and shrinking 
of exchange values, should and will vote the Republi- 
can ticket. No matter what their affiliations may 
have been in the past, unless the Chicago convention 
should pronounce equally unequivocally, they must 
support McKinley and the platform on which he 
stands. Those on the other hand who believe that 
such falling of prices, such shrinking of exchange 
values must be accompanied, as Senator Sherman 
once expressed it, with "Loss, danger, lassitude of 
trade, suspension of enterprise, fall of wages, bank- 
ruptcy and disaster," or, in the vigorous language of 
John G. Carlisle, if continued, will "Ultimately entail 
more misery on the human race than all the wars, 
pestilences and famines that ever existed in the history 
of the world," will vote against McKinley and the 
platform on which he stands. The raising of any 
other issue will be impossible. The discussion of any 
other question will fall on deaf ears. For men of con- 
science and conviction, there can be no middle course. 
There may be Republicans as well as Democrats, who 
close their eyes and cheer while trusted but designing 
leaders trample in the dust all that their party repre- 
sents of policy or principle; but I am not one of them. 
When a party betrays its principles, its teachings and 
its traditions, it forfeits the allegiance of every honest, 
conscientious supporter. It becomes henceforth, but 
a name for the demagogues to play with, and for 
the ignorant to shout. Even if it should persist 
in carrving the same old banners inscribed with the 



THE SILVER QUESTION 225 

same old battle cries, it is but adding the shame of 
hypocrisy to the crime of treason. No, I am not an 
eighteen hundred and ninety-six Republican, nor can I 
in justice to myself, become a candidate as one. I 
cannot either, become a Democratic candidate. In 
the first place, I was not nominated as a Democratic 
candidate, but, as a Republican, and there is room 
for a fair doubt, as to whether that convention would 
have chosen me, had it been fully advised in the 
premises. Still further. You and I are both desirous 
of breaking the thraldom in which this city and county 
are held by an unconstitutional, secret political society. 
Owing to the views which I have here expressed and 
shall doubtless reiterate often and often during the 
campaign it would be utterly impossible for me to 
poll the whole opposition vote to the A. P. A. 

Free Silver Republicans and Free Silver Democrats, 
who are A. P. A.'s, would not support me because of 
my hostility to their society, and Gold Republicans 
and Gold Democrats would not, in any considerable 
numbers, support me, because of my very pronounced 
antagonism to what is in my judgment, a ruinous 
financial policy. These are some of the considera- 
tions, which must make it plain that another would 
far better insure the accomplishment of the end we 
both have at heart. 

The very flattering recognition which the nomina- 
tion by the Democratic convention implied, has 
prompted me to write an explanation of my declina- 
tion, fuller than I might otherwise regard as neces- 
sary. For this on behalf of the convention, accept 
my thanks and assurance of hearty appreciation. 

Very truly yours, 

Walter L. Campbell. 

IS 



226 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

This letter served a double purpose: it declined 
the nomination and at the same time gave Mr. 
Campbell's position on the national issue. Why 
his course in supporting Bryan in this campaign 
should have been the occasion of so much surprise 
and animosity, it is hard to understand. Twenty 
years before he had introduced a strong free silver 
resolution' at the convention that gave McKinley 
his first nomination for Congress. In the ensuing 
years Mr. Campbell worked for bi-metallism, in 
season and out of season. Whenever he had an 
opportunity he urged the importance of the ques- 
tion on McKinley and the other party leaders 
and the need of its being pressed. The answer 
came that the time was not ripe. In December of 
1 89 1 he sent a letter to the Republican senators 
and representatives of the Ohio General Assembly 
opposing the return of John Sherman to the United 
States Senate on account of his views in favor 
of the gold standard. During this same win- 
ter he wrote a series of letters to the Youngs- 
town Telegram on the question that he had 
so much at heart. In 1893 he wrote letters to 
the Canton News-Democrat, and in June of 1895, 
on the occasion of a trip to Kansas City, Mis- 
souri, the Kansas City World published a long 

I See Chapter VII., p. 117. 



THE SILVER QUESTION 227 

illustrated interview with him on the silver 
question. Not only did he write on the subject, 
but he spoke upon it whenever he had an oppor- 
tunity. For twenty years he had been working 
for one thing, and when the question came before 
the people he was accused of leaving his party for 
purely selfish motives. He had some silver min- 
ing stock, it is true, but his interests in gold 
mines were larger. "For men of conscience and 
conviction there can be no middle course. ' ' So 
he wrote and so he acted. This was his final 
break with the Republican party. He was never 
a member of it again. It was, perhaps, the hard- 
est step of his life for he was a man who held to 
tradition. He worked for the Democratic party 
as he had worked for the Republican party hereto- 
fore. He spoke at various meetings in different 
towns and villages. He presided at the meeting 
in the Youngstown Opera House at which Bryan 
spoke. Nothing that he could do was left undone. 
All of the time his charge to the members of his 
family was, "Do nothing to antagonize people." 
His attitude was characteristic. He did what he 
felt that he had to do, but he was anxious to avoid 
strife and bitterness. He was not successful in this. 
In the heat of the campaign things were said and 
done by some of his friends that they regretted 



228 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

as soon as the storm was over and the question 
settled. They tried to make reparation, and he 
tried to forget about what had occurred and did 
not permit his family to discuss it, and in the course 
of time the strain ceased to exist. To have his 
honesty of purpose doubted by many of those 
among whom he had lived for years, almost broke 
his heart. At the end of the campaign he was 
fully ten years older than at its beginning, and 
with it he lost a certain buoyancy and light- 
heartedness that he never regained. Before the 
election he told his family that whatever might 
be its result, he would not remain in Youngstown. 
Some months later he moved to Washington. He 
wanted to forget about it all, and it was easier to 
do so in another place. In a life of disappoint- 
ments this was the supreme one. 



CHAPTER XII 

FAMILY AND FRIENDS IN YOUNGSTOWN 

The events of the preceding chapters are 
matters of public record, but they show only one 
side of Mr. Campbell's life. His best side was his 
personal side. Wherever he went he made friends, 
and it was not long before he had many in Youngs- 
town. Mr. McCurdy and Mr. McEwen were the 
most intimate of these. The three were leaders 
in a very jolly set of young people, and great 
jokers. Some of their jokes were carried rather 
far. Once, for instance, they heard that a young 
man was on his way from the East to ask a girl 
in a nearby town to marry him. She was popular 
with the set, and they objected to having an out- 
sider take her away and took steps to prevent it. 
A half-dozen or so bachelors signed and sent her 
this telegram : ' ' Do not close until you hear from 
us." Although they followed this by a long 
letter giving their reasons for opposing the match, 
they were not successful. 

229 



230 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

They used to go on picnics, and sometimes 
these lasted for two or three days, when friends 
from another town invited them to visit them and 
make excursions from their houses. At one of 
these it became known that Mr. Campbell was 
engaged to Helen La Gourgue. They had been 
engaged for some time, but had not announced 
it because Miss La Gourgue was not well enough 
to marry. Mr. Campbell, however, had frequently 
spoken of their engagement but no one had be- 
lieved him. Once when he went alone to call on 
his fiancee (the three friends did much of their 
calling together), his two intimates appeared at 
the same place, to be greeted with the words, 
"Didn't I tell you she was my girl?" 

Miss La Gourgue went to Youngstown from 
Cleveland, where she had taught successfully in 
the public schools, but could not stay as the lake 
winds were bad for her throat. Being of limited 
means and unwilling to be dependent upon her 
mother, she went to Youngstown and opened a 
fancy-work shop on hearing that there was need 
of such a store there. This must have taken a 
good deal of courage on her part, as fewer women 
went into business ventures then, than now. And 
it was an unusual thing for a refined, educated 
young woman to do alone, in a strange place. 




MRS. WALTER L. CAMPBELL 



FAMILY AND FRIENDS 231 

Some of her Cleveland friends were acquainted in 
Youngstown, and she was hospitably received. 
In appearance she was tall and slender, with blue 
eyes, a very fair, clear complexion, and extra- 
ordinarily beautiful light golden hair, wavy and 
very long and thick. She is described as having 
"just escaped being a beauty." 

She was a woman of varied interests. Before 
her marriage, she took part in the Crusade Move- 
ment and in the estabhshment of a Reading Room 
in Youngstown, from which the PubUc Library is 
an outgrowth. Later in life she was interested in 
other charitable and reform work. In the first 
days of her married life she helped her husband 
in his work by going to his office and reading over 
the exchanges. Intellectually, she was fitted 
to share his interests. Very domestic, she looked 
"well to the ways of her household," and her 
family was her first consideration. In writing 
this tribute to woman in Civitas, her husband 
could have had no one else in mind : 

If woman, then what more could e'er be sought.'' 
Of Heav'n's best love she is the human thought. 
With her the truth is of herself a part; 
She sees, she knows, her teacher is her heart. 
She sees, she knows unerringly to guide. 
How weak each folly is, how strong is pride, 



232 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

How life is worthless made and blessed how, 
And how 'tis always wise to God to bow. 

She smiles on toil and makes it pleasure seem, 
Advers'ty smites and from it blessings stream. 
Through darkest night her virtue constant shines, 
In prosp'rous day each triumph she refines. 
She spurs to work but asks not the reward; 
She seeks not fame but stands its jealous guard. 
The hardest steeps are by her touch brought low, 
The drear'est paths are made with flowers to blow. 
When gladness gilds the life, or sorrows try. 
Her heart's in unison, to sing or sigh. 

Of life the ornament, the glist'ning gem. 
The radiant crown, the jewelled diadem; 
A star to shine through thick disaster's clouds, 
A song to cheer when grief the soul enshrouds ; 
A living spring in this world's desert sands. 
In life's woe-woven woof the golden strands; 
A rose in dreary wastes, a light in gloom. 
The first in joy, the last to leave the tomb; 
A woman is to man of gifts the best. 
Forever blessing and but rarely blest. 

Helen Crause La Gourgue was the daughter of 
William Foote La Gourgue and Mary Ann Bux- 
ton. Her father was of French and English 
lineage and had gone from the West Indies to 
Cleveland late in life, having abandoned his 
plantation in Jamaica after the emancipation of 
the slaves in 1834. He was a man in the late 
fifties when he won the regard of Mary Buxton. 
She was of New England stock and her parents, 



FAMILY AND FRIENDS 233 

who were people of some standing in the com- 
munity, did not view the marriage with favor. 
Mr. La Gourgue was a foreigner, and a former 
slaveholder, and Daniel Buxton's house was a 
station on the underground railroad. There was 
the difference in age, too, the bride being less 
than half of her husband's age. The difficulties 
were overcome, and their short married life was a 
very happy one. Their daughter was born July 
5, 1844. Much of her childhood was spent in 
Iowa where, after her father's death, her mother 
went, to be with a much loved brother. While 
there Mrs. La Gourgue contracted a second 
marriage with Pratt A. Skinner, which was not 
so happy as her first one. She followed her 
daughter to Youngstown as soon as she could sell 
her Cleveland house, and supported herself by 
taking boarders. She was a woman of great 
sweetness as well as strength of character, and had 
much influence on the young people who made 
up her household. They called her "Mother," 
went with their troubles to her for advice, and to 
the end of their lives loved and looked up to her. 

Mrs. Skinner did not favor her daughter's mar- 
riage. In fact, there was more or less opposition 
to it in both families. Miss La Gourgue had been 
obliged to give up her business venture on account 



234 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

of her health, which was always delicate, and it 
is not strange, in the circumstances, that the 
union was not looked upon with more favor. 
But they were suited to each other, and a happier 
marriage could not be found. Mr. Campbell had 
boarded with Mrs. Skinner before his marriage on 
October 4, 1877, and he and his wife continued 
to do so for some years afterward. The house was 
on the corner of Wick and Lincoln Avenues and it 
was here that their son, Allan Reuben, was born on 
February 7, 1879. The following year a house 
was bought on Elm Street, and here the family 
lived for sixteen years. Mrs. Skinner went 
with them, as neither she nor her daughter would 
have been willing to be separated. She and her 
son-in-law were most devoted to each other. In 
times of sickness, if she called in the night, he was 
the first to hear and go to her. She said more 
than once, that had he been her own son he could 
not have done more, and when her life ended, her 
hand was clasped in his. 

On July 26, 1 88 1, a daughter was born, Mary 
Rebecca. The household was further increased 
a little later when Mr. Campbell's youngest 
brother, Amasa, returned from the West, and, 
deciding to remain in Youngstown, found a place 
in his brother's home. He remained there until he 



FAMILY AND FRIENDS 235 

returned to Idaho in 1888. In 1885, an addition 
was built to the house to make room for Mr, 
Campbell's mother. She had lived with her 
daughter, but Mr. McMillan's health had failed 
and he was obliged to stop teaching. He sold his 
house, and he and his wife traveled awhile. On 
their return they, too, went to "Walter's," and 
all were together until Mr. McMillan went to live 
in Canfield. His mother-in-law went with him 
and both families assumed normal proportions. 

The affection between Mr. Campbell and his 
brother-in-law has been spoken of before, but the 
bond was so strong that more should be said about 
it. During Mr. McMillan's residence in Canfield 
his health was very poor — in fact he was almost an 
invalid and much cut off from intercourse with his 
friends. While Canfield is only ten miles from 
Youngstown, this was before the days of motors, 
and could be reached only by a long drive or by a 
tiresome railroad journey of between two and three 
hours each way. In pleasant weather the entire 
Campbell family often drove over for the day, as 
did many of Mr. McMillan's other Youngstown 
friends, but in winter it was more difficult. In 
spite of this Mr. Campbell rarely let a week go by 
without a trip to Canfield, and his visits were red 
letter days in the McMillan household. Nothing 



236 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

that could be helped was allowed to interfere with 
the visits, enjoyed by both men, but the brightest 
spots in the life of the invalid. Alike in nobility of 
character, they loved each other dearly. 

When a man has the capacity for friendship that 
Mr. Campbell had, chapters might be written about 
his friends alone. His house had a welcome 
for them all. The appendix contains some 
tributes paid by and to him. Visitors from other 
cities were often at the house, some men of note 
and distinction, some not, all sharing hospitality's 
common fund. 

In the early eighties a club called the "Wheel" 
was formed. It was composed of the following 
members: Myron I. Arms, William H. Baldwin, 
Charles W. Bassett, Walter L. Campbell, Tod 
Ford, Robert McCurdy, J. Harris McEwen, 
Charles J. Morse, and Thomas H. Wilson. The 
idea of the "Wheel" originated with Mr. Baldwin 
and Mr. Ford. It met at no stated times, but only 
when every member could be present. At its 
meetings one member read a paper or report on 
some topic of literary or historical interest, and the 
rest discussed it. It was called the "Wheel" 
because it revolved, each "spoke" making his 
report in turn. In the beginning the refreshments 
served were oysters and coffee, but later the 




REUBEN MCMILLAN 



FAMILY AND FRIENDS 237 

supper was more elaborate. The "Wheel" was 
the source of much pleasure to its members, and 
after it was discontinued, because some of them 
had to go awa}'' from Youngstown, it was looked 
back upon with great interest. Not one of the 
"spokes" would have been willing to forget the 
meetings. 

As a conversationalist, Mr. Campbell was at 
his best, and there was nothing that he enjoyed 
more than a hearty, vigorous discussion of the 
questions of the day. He was ready to talk with 
one person or with a group, and it was in the course 
of these conversations that many of his best things 
were said. In the late eighties he frequently met 
with a group composed of A. B. Cornell, James A. 
Leonard, Colwell P. Wilson, and others. Single 
Tax was up for discussion and Mr. Campbell had 
in mind the writing of an answer to "Progress 
and Poverty." He thought that it could be 
answered. Later, however, he had leanings toward 
Single Tax and became somewhat of an advo- 
cate of it. In one of the conversations with 
this group an incident occurred showing Mr. 
Campbell's attitude toward practice and preach- 
ing. The subject of taxation was up and one 
of the number quoted from a book by Thomas 
G. Shearman, counsel for the New York Central. 



238 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

Mr. Shearman's views in his book, his real views, 
were in direct opposition to the methods employed 
and endorsed by the railroad of which he was 
adviser. Consequently Mr. Campbell would have 
none of his book. If he believed what he wrote, 
why did he continue in his position? He held 
any argument advanced by Mr. Shearman as 
absolutely worthless. Mr. Shearman resigned 
his position somewhat later, but whether as a 
matter of principle or not I do not know. 

It was not only Mr. Campbell's friends and in- 
timates who found his conversation delightful, but 
strangers as well — abroad as well as at home he 
was usually the center of a circle and the leader in 
a discussion. Friends and acquaintances he had 
everywhere. He rarely visited a city or town — 
and in later life he was something of a traveler — 
without finding someone whom he knew. His 
friend, Mr. Frank B. Lumb, tells of how one ac- 
quaintance was made. During one of Mr. Camp- 
bell's visits to Columbus, the two friends, both 
sightless, were walking through the streets, Mr. 
Lumb taking the lead as he was at home. As 
they crossed a street, they bumped into a cart. 
When they reached the sidewalk, Mr. Campbell 
accosted a passerby, and asked if he were an 
officer. The man replied in the negative, and Mr. 



FAMILY AND FRIENDS 239 

Campbell said, "I thought that you might be, and 
I wanted to ask you to arrest this man. He 
bumped me into that cart." The man, who was a 
doctor, a friend of Mr. Lumb's, invited them to sit 
on his porch which was near. They accepted the 
invitation, and talked together for several hours. 
The doctor never forgot him, and frequently in- 
quired about him from Mr. Lumb. These chance 
acquaintances often ripened into future friendships. 
He was so genial and versatile, with such a variety 
of interests and such a keen sense of humor that 
it is no wonder that his acquaintance was sought. 
On railroad train or on shipboard, wherever he 
might be, he was to be found in its most animated 
group with the heartiest laugh of all. It was this 
laugh of his which helped him to win the love of 
children so easily. It was loud and infectious. He 
laughed and they laughed w4th him and the ice 
was broken. His blindness never repelled chil- 
dren. Often they did not notice it. The little 
children in his neighborhood would run to meet 
him when they saw him on the street, and walk a 
little way with him. Little babies he liked to 
hold, and many a time he could quiet one when 
everyone else had failed. 

In writing these pages I have tried to let facts 
speak for themselves and show what sort of man 



240 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

my father was. In the appendix will be found tri- 
butes of others to his character. Further com- 
ment of my own it is difficult to make. When two 
people are bound so closely to each other as we 
were, it is almost impossible for one of them 
to describe the other. In looking back the 
characteristics that come to my mind are his 
patience, his gentleness, his lovingness, and his 
lovableness. To me he is the embodiment of them 
all. I remember as a child standing at the window 
with my brother and watching for him to come 
home. When he appeared he was rarely alone. 
If the day were warm his hat would be in his hand 
— ^he never liked hats very well, and never wore one 
in short walks around the neighborhood. He was 
rather short, with a very bald head and a beard. 
He decided to have a beard when he was in the 
West, and a barber charged him "two bits" for 
shaving him. His beard was occasionally a sub- 
ject of conversation and then my heart sank with 
the fear that he might yield to his friends and have 
it removed. His cheeks were rosy, and his hands 
very soft and sensitive. He almost never wore 
gloves. One instance of the delicacy of his touch 
is in a story of my brother's infancy. He appeared 
one morning very indignant and said, "Someone 
has scratched this baby's face. " The scratch was 



FAMILY AND FRIENDS 241 

so slight that it could scarcely be seen, and pro- 
bably had been made with a towel, but his obser- 
vant fingers had detected it. When he was alone 
— or alone with his family — he often sang or 
repeated poetry by the hour. Sometimes he 
would sit at his piano, playing over one thing 
after another. These resources he gradually ex- 
hausted, as he grew older and played less, and 
came to miss his former skill. When he had 
been out, on re-entering the house, as soon as he 
had opened the door he would call "Helen," 
"Mary," and come wherever our voices told him 
that we were. Troubled with insomnia, he 
took great pleasure in a room that had been fitted 
for him in the third story of the Wick Avenue 
house when he went back to it. Here were his 
books and his typewriter — for he had one of the 
first typewriters made, — and at night when he 
could not sleep he would go there and write for 
an hour or so. This habit of sleeplessness 
often sent him to bed very early and his friends 
who made evening calls learned that if they 
were to see him they must come soon after 
dinner. 

As a father he was perfect. From infancy he 
took more of the care of his children than fathers 

usually do. He would dress us, and put us to bed, 
16 



242 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

and take us out in our baby-carriages (in later 
years he used to tell of the storm of protests that 
this brought from the neighbors; but this was be- 
fore the days of street-cars and of automobiles, 
and he was very careful ; so there was no real dan- 
ger). In sickness, and there was much sickness, 
he did his full share of the nursing, and many a 
night was begun by our parents with a discussion 
as to which should take care of the sick one, both 
wishing to do it. He did these things both 
because he liked to do them, and because in this 
way he could spare his wife, who was always frail 
and delicate and in these early days burdened 
with the task of making a very limited income 
serve the family needs. 

She was brave and courageous and had there 
not been the spirit of mutual dependence and 
helpfulness between them, the days would have 
been very much darker than they were. They 
showed great judgment and patience in bringing up 
their children, and great judgment and patience 
were required, for we were not "easy" children, 
but were highstrung and sensitive, and the younger 
especially was very delicate, more often sick 
than well, and consequently fretful and exacting. 
Their patience was never exhausted and was most 
remarkable. These letters written to us when we 



FAMILY AND FRIENDS 243 

were little, show the interest that our father took 
in all the little details of our lives, 

Walter L. Campbell to Allan R. Campbell 

YOUNGSTOWN, O., July 8, 1888. 

My Dear Son : 

I enclose a postal card to you which was received 
from Grandma Campbell the day after you left. You 
want to try to see all the people and the places that she 
speaks of, and then write to her about it. You are 
now with friends who knew your papa long before he 
was as old as you are, and they have always been very 
good friends to him, and I know that they will be to 
you. Now you will say that that is making them all 
out pretty old, but I do not mean that Aunts Mamie 
and Mattie knew me so long as all that comes to nor 
even Annie, but then it will do for the rest of them 
except the boys. Aunt Maggie is within six days 
of the same age as myself. They can show the house 
where I was born, if you care to see it. It is in the old 
frame block just west of Chestnut Street, and in the 
west end of the block and on the south side of Main. 
That is the house in which Grandma Campbell went 
to live within a year after she was married and there 
she lived from eighteen hundred and twenty-four 
until eighteen hundred and fifty-two. They can show 
the brick house to which we then moved and where 
we lived for many years. You can see, too, where 
Uncle Boyle used to live just across the street and he 
will perhaps tell you about my throwing a stone 
through the window and nearly hurting some of the 
children, when I was as bad as I don't want you to be. 



244 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

There are many nice people and interesting places 
about Salem, at least I think so, and I want you to 
write and tell me what you think of them. Sister 
has found a kittie. It was in our yard this morning 
sleeping under a bush just beside the front stoop when 
she saw and took possession of it. It is a very little 
thing, its eyes are just opening. Mama says that I 
should not have told you to come home next week 
whether or no, but should have said that if you wanted 
to come or the folks got tired of you, you should come. 
This leaves your coming home to be determined by a 
consultation between you, Aunt Mamie and the rest. 
You want to be a good boy, help in the work whenever 
you can find anything to do, and write to us often 
about what you are doing, what you see and how you 
are getting along. 

Your affectionate papa, 

Walter L. Campbell 

Remember us all to all friends and tell them how 
thankful we are for the invitation that gave you the 
pleasure of this visit. 

W. L. C. 

Walter L. Campbell to Allan R. Campbell 

YOUNGSTOWN, O., July II, 1888. 

My Dear Allan : 

We received your good little letter this morning and 
were very glad to get it. It was too bad that you were 
sick on Thursday, but it is good that you are well 
again. I suppose that you were playing ball a little 
too hard. You know that you cannot get too much 
of anything, but it will manage to get something of 



FAMILY AND FRIENDS 245 

you. You want always to go it moderately if you 
would not have any kicking back afterwards. I guess 
that you are beginning to find that out. When it is 
once well learned, it will prove a very valuable lesson 
in more ways than one. Rob Hampson — I remember 
him, but is he older or younger than you? He was a 
little chap, I remember when we had you in Salem, 
a little baby nine months old. We were afraid that 
you would give him the whooping-cough or the 
measles or something else that we thought you might 
have. Is Mattie well enough to go to such big 
parties? Isn't that good? Why did not Mamie go? 
You do not make her stay home to take care of you, do 
you ? You must make them understand that you are 
big enough to take care of yourself, but not in a way 
of course, that would make you too big to do whatever 
they want you to. You didn't know that sister went 
to Canfield. I almost forgot to tell you about that. 
Uncle Harris and Aunt Florence took her over the 
Thursday and we have not heard from her since. 
They left her there playing with the children next 
door — you know who they are, but I have forgotten 
their names. I tell you it seems pretty lonely here 
with both of you youngsters gone. You don't say 
anything about Maggie in your letters. Of course, 
you have seen her. Have you seen little Tom yet, and 
how big is he? Lena has just called to dinner, and 
so, I will stop for this time. Write as often as you 
can and tell us what you are doing. 

You know that as we have no one to take care of 
now, we have plenty of time to read letters. Wasn't 
that old house I was born in a regular palace of a place ? 
Remember us all to the friends who are so kind to 
you and tell them that we don't know how to thank 



246 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

them enough for all their goodness, but they can have 
the satisfaction of knowing that you and we all 
appreciate it. Write soon. 

Your affectionate papa, 

Walter L. Campbell. 

Walter L. Campbell to Mary R. Campbell 

YOUNGSTOWN, O., July II, 1888. 

My Dear Little Daughter: 

You have been gone a long time, so we all think 
here. It is over two days since you went away, two 
days and two nights. I wonder if you can figure 
out how many hours that means. It is now between 
eleven and twelve o'clock on Saturday and you left 
about nine o'clock on Thursday. Nearly fifty-one 
hours I make it. Do you think that is right? Uncle 
Florence and Aunt Harris, I mean Aunt Florence 
and Uncle Harris, told us that you had found some 
children to play with and were having a very good 
time. Well, we think that you ought to have a 
good time and that you are in a good place to have it. 
Mrs. Heasley stopped here yesterday as she was 
passing and said that she was sorry that you were not 
in Canfield when Susie was there. That would have 
been nice, wouldn't it? We had a letter from Brother 
this morning. He is having a good time in Salem, 
although he writes that he was a little sick on Thurs- 
day but he is all right again now. Of course you don't 
talk any baby talk there. I tell you it would surprise 
them to hear a little girl seven years old talk like a little 
bit of a baby. Don't surprise them that way, they 
would not know what to make of it. Do you think 
they would? You know how you fixed up the little 



FAMILY AND FRIENDS 247 

wire bedstead for Kittie before you went away. Well, 
she climbed right into it herself that very night and 
staid there all night and puts in most of her time 
there. Now don't say that she is a good deal like 
papa. ^ She did find time yesterday to follow Mama 
around nearly every place she went in the house, 
but I don't think that Mama got out of patience with 
her because she probably thought that it was your 
kittie and you were not here to take her part. Mama 
cannot coax the rats to eat the poison that she lays 
around for them, and so I guess that we shall have to 
wait until kittie gets big enough to drive them away. 
It seems a long time to wait, but then time gets away 
faster than we think. Give all our love to Uncle 
Reuben and Aunt Susan and Grandma, and tell them 
that we hope that they are all well and do not allow 
you to make them any trouble, but we know that 
you would not do that. I wonder if you will write 
me as long a letter as this. That is asking too much 
of you, but you can write us a short note telling us 
how you are and how you are getting along. 
Your affectionate papa, 

Walter L. Campbell. 

Walter L. Campbell to Allan R. Campbell 

YouNGSTOWN, O., July 16, 1889. 

My Dear Son : 

You are not here to tell me whether my typewriter 
is running straight and I shall have to take the 
chances. We have been waiting and watching 

» In times of insomnia, he had the habit of going to bed early 
and getting up late. 



248 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

every mail for a letter from you and still none 
comes. You have scarcely forgotten us? Perhaps, 
you think that we have been as neglectful of you as 
you have been of us. Mary has just gone to Mrs. 
Strong's with the milk. You know how hard she 
thought it would be for her to carry two quarts at a 
time, but since the first morning or two when I went 
with her she has been taking it and has had no trouble 
at all. She thinks of going to Canfield in a day or so 
with Grandma Campbell, and what will be done then 
with the milk is a problem not yet solved. She went 
over to Mr. McCurdy's the other day and Isabelle 
brought her home on the pony, Mary riding all the 
way. After she got here she rode it on a trot up and 
down Elm Street and held on very nicely. She did not 
understand very well how to guide it, but still, she 
made a very good beginning. Grandma Campbell 
was a little sick for several days but she is better 
now and about as well as ever. The rest of us are all 
well. I have not been able to keep very good account 
of the ball games since you left, but I understand that 
the Clevelands have been losing. We must try to 
send you some papers. Mama has picked seven or 
eight quarts of raspberries off of our bushes and the 
beans you planted gave us nearly enough for a dinner. 
If the chickens had let them alone we should have 
had enough to supply us, for a short time, at least. 
The cow, the chickens and the ducks are all in their 
usual health, and I can't say that they seem to miss 
you very much. I almost forgot to tell you that we 
have a new lawn mower and now I know that you are 
just wishing that you were here to run it. Be a good 
boy; be sure not to do a thing that you have the 
slightest suspicion is wrong, make no trouble to the 



FAMILY AND FRIENDS 249 

kind friends who are taking such good care of you, 
remember us all to them, and write very soon. 
Your affectionate papa, 

Walter L. Campbell. 

In the education of his children, and especially 
of his son, Mr. Campbell took the very greatest 
interest. After reading the Autobiography oj John 
Stuart Mill, he wanted very much to educate his 
boy along the same lines, and as the child read at 
two, started to do it, and taught him a little 
Latin at four or five. He did not carry out the 
plan, partly because of public sentiment which 
declared he was forcing the child, and partly 
because he wanted him to be with other children 
in school. The boy was put into the public 
schools when he was between seven and eight, 
and kept there until his entrance to Harvard. His 
father watched every step of his education and 
every day on his return from school, inquired 
minutely into what had happened. "Did you 
recite in algebra?" "What did you have to 
do?" "Who else recited?" "Did A— recite?" 
etc. He visited the schools frequently, knew all 
of the teachers well, attended every school exercise 
in which either of us took part, and was familiar 
with every side of our school life. He always 
expected us to do our best, and perhaps the know- 



250 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

ledge of this did as much as anything to make 
us, and his dehght when a good report was brought 
home was sufficient compensation for the work 
involved. His son won many honors as he went 
along, to his father's intense pride and grati- 
fication. His interest in children and in their 
education was not confined to his own. He was 
something of an authority on the subject, and 
many parents consulted him about their children. 
An instance of his thoughtfulness is shown in the 
case of Wallace Bulla, a playmate of his son's 
and a classmate in the Rayen School, the Youngs- 
town High School. Some little time before the 
class was to be graduated, Wallace was stricken 
with an incurable disease, and it was known that his 
life could last only a few months longer. In his 
pride over his own son who was graduating with 
honors, Mr. Campbell did not forget this other 
boy, and requested the authorities to let him, 
too, receive his diploma with his class even though 
he could not finish the year's work. The re- 
quest was granted, and on Com.mencement night 
Wallace was there and graduated with the others. 
One of Mr. Campbell's theories about bringing 
up children was that of sending them to bed early. 
He often said that as long as a child slept well 
and ate well, no one need worry about him. 



FAMILY AND FRIENDS 251 

Allan went to bed at half-past seven until his last 
year in the High School. This should show that 
the charge that he was being forced, was un- 
founded. He played out-of-doors from the close 
of school until six o'clock supper, studied for an 
hour, and then went to bed. Although prepared 
for college at fifteen, he was not allowed to enter 
for another year. Neither did his father permit 
him to combine his fourth year of college with 
his first of law as he could easily have done. He 
felt that four years of general college work was 
none too much, and he wished him to have that 
amount. He laid great stress on a good founda- 
tion. The nearest thing that I have ever heard 
to a complaint from him was when a question 
was asked in regard to his ambitions for Allan, and 
he replied, "I want him to do what I would have 
done if I had had half a chance. " 

One thing that was of great benefit to us was 
our habit of reading aloud to our father. As soon 
as we were able to read we began to read the 
newspapers to him, and as we grew older we read 
more and more. We read the headlines and he 
told us what to read and what to skip. He was 
always ready to explain anything that we did not 
understand, and we really enjoyed the reading 
which we learned to do with great rapidity and for 



252 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

long periods without resting. Usually, however, 
the whole family would be reading the book and 
take turns at it. One would be called away 
and another take it up and when the absent one 
returned, enough would be told to give the con- 
nection. 

In the winter of 1892, the family was saddened 
by the deaths of the two grandmothers — Mrs. 
Campbell dying in January, and Mrs. Skinner 
in April. This was a great grief to all, Mrs. 
Campbell was much exhausted after the long 
strain, and the following summer the family went 
East and visited New York, Boston, and Wash- 
ington, as well as making a long stay in Plymouth, 
Massachusetts. While in Plymouth Mr. Camp- 
bell attended the "School of Ethics," which he 
enjoyed exceedingly. 

Mrs. Campbell had a serious accident in Febru- 
ary, 1894, when she fell and broke her hip. In 
addition to the fracture, there were many other 
troubles, and her life Was in danger for some time. 
It was a long, hard siege, and her husband did more 
for her than any one of the nurses. He was with 
her constantly in the daytime, and at night was 
called to her bedside again and again. He had a 
very gentle touch and in times of pain would rub 
unceasingly until relief came. One evening dur- 




MARY R. CAMPBELL ISABELLA CAMPBELL ALLAN R. CAMPBELL 



FAMILY AND FRIENDS 253 

ing his wife's illness Mr. Campbell, on his way 
home from an errand to the doctor's, fell on the ice 
and broke his leg. Although he spoke of the 
injury to Dr. McCurdy the following morning, 
the doctor was so concerned over the wife's con- 
dition that, without making a thorough examina- 
tion, said that it would be all right. After some 
time it knit although it was never set, and the 
patient was not in bed a day — in fact he was caring 
for his wife during the whole time. Some years 
later, when he asked the doctor to look at it a 
second time, it was discovered that an actual 
fracture had taken place. 

It was during Mrs. Campbell's illness that the 
family lost their most congenial near neighbors, 
Mr. and Mrs. W. C. Agnew and their children. 
The Agnews moved to Elm Street soon after the 
Campbells, and the families were mutually depend- 
ent in the years that followed; sorrows and joys 
were shared, and it was a matter of regret to them 
both when Mr. Agnew's business took him to 
Duluth and the years of close companionship 
were ended. 

In the winter of 1896, the Elm Street house was 
sold and the house in which Mr. and Mrs. Campbell 
had been married was purchased. Mr. Campbell 
had always had a desire to return there, and 



254 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

looked forward to the moving with great pleasure. 
Everything was ready, when before daybreak 
of April 1st, moving day, a telephone message 
said that the house was on fire. When Mr. 
Campbell reached it the fire had been put out, 
but he soon saw that it would be impossible to live 
in it for some time to come. Another house was 
secured temporarily, and the work of repairing and 
remodeling was begun. Mr. Campbell took the 
greatest interest in it and as he expected to spend 
the rest of his life there was anxious to have every- 
thing as comfortable and attractive as possible. 
"Just as Helen wants it," he would say. They 
had scarcely moved into it when the events 
of the campaign brought a change. The following 
spring when an opportunity came to rent the house 
for a term of years from the first of October, he 
took it. The reasons that he gave for leaving 
Youngstown were that it might be better for his 
wife to have a complete rest from housekeeping, 
and that his daughter's health required a change 
of climate for a long period. These reasons were 
true, but not imperative, and it is doubtful if they 
alone would have caused him to leave the home 
that he had prepared so carefully and joyfully 
but a few months before. 

The summer of 1897 was spent in the East and in 



FAMILY AND FRIENDS 255 

a tour through Nova Scotia and Canada, and in 
the autumn Mr. and Mrs. Campbell went to 
Washington, D. C, where the next three winters 
were spent. Their son was at Harvard, and their 
daughter at National Park Seminary in a Washing- 
ton suburb. 



CHAPTER XIII 



TWILIGHT 



Walter L. Campbell to Mr. and 
Mrs. J. H. McEwen: 

Washington, D. C, Oct. 17, 1897. 

Dear Harris and Florence : 

You have been growing in bad opinion of me for 
the past three weeks, for not making some acknowl- 
edgement of your hospitality. The fact is that I 
could not. Helen arrived here on the Wednesday 
after the Monday I left Youngstown, with a very 
bad cold which, perhaps, ought to be called Grippe. 
She was able, and only able to get Mary out to her 
school, when she had to go to bed, where she remained 
for more than a week. I could not get at my type- 
writer very readily and so you have been neglected. 
Helen is better now and on the road to recovery, 
though she is still quite weak. We were at our sister's 
on N Street, until last evening, when we came here. 
Here is the Colonial Hotel, a very central place, on the 
corner of Fifteenth and H Streets. We have not been 
here long enough to tell how well we shall like it, but 
we have already a realizing sense of the fact, that shut 
up in two rooms is a very different thing from having 
a whole house to roam over and scatter things around 

256 



TWILIGHT 257 

in. Mary seems to like her school very much, and 
her teachers are full of encomiums on her studious 
habits and abilities. She, too, has had a bad cold, 
and this makes her uncomfortable, but we are hoping 
that she will soon be herself again, herself, as last 
Summer. I have not yet made many acquaintances 
or done much in the way of renewing old ones. Gen- 
eral Boynton is still here and I have seen him several 
times. He is very cordial, though a very devout 
worshipper at the shrines of Protection and of a Gold 
standard. He has almost retired from the newspaper 
field, as he only writes now one letter a week for the 
New York Sun, and that over his own signature. He 
has been all his life a very ardent enemy of everything 
like boss rule, but he is just now, unaccountably to 
me, leaning towards Tracy in the New York fight. 
Strange things happen and I have stopped trying to 
explain them. 

I suppose that you are jogging along in the old old 
way in Youngstown. We have heard absolutely 
nothing from there since we left. I am going to send 
for a paper to be sent regularly to us, today. Your 
friend Lieutenant Commander Harber is boarding at 
the hotel which is a kind of half boarding house. I 
have not had an opportunity to talk with him any, as 
we only came here last evening. He spoke to us, 
shaking hands merely, as he went into breakfast this 
morning. There seem to be many pleasant people 
stopping here, though we have met none, as yet, 
unless I except a very agreeable doctor and his wife. 
He has never heard of Woodbridge apparently, though 
he treats Typhoid fever in much the same way. I 
hope that the next time I write to you, I shall have 
something more interesting to say. You want to 

X7 



258 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

write to us as you find time and feel like it. Any 
real good soul-inspiring gossip would be most accept- 
able. I find nothing in any of the papers that stirs 
the blood in the least, my blood, I mean. There was 
a darky here day before yesterday who stirred the 
blood of his mistress with a hatchet on the head and 
other places, but that does not count, and I never 
read more than the headings of such things. Helen 
sends her love to you both in such relative measure as 
good taste and social obligations would regard as 
proper, and I send mine without any such restrictions 
or limitations. 

Very sincerely, yours, 

Walter L. Campbell. 

Walter L. Campbell to Mr. and 
Mrs. J. H. McEwen 

Washington, D. C, Nov. 22, 1897. 

Dear Florence and Harris: 

It was very good in you to answer a letter to both 
with one from each. I wish that I could find enough of 
interest here to reply worthily and commensatorially. 
You will hardly find that word in good use, but you 
will understand what it means. There are few 
persons of distinction, stopping at this place, and 
yet there are some of them in whom you would be 
interested. 

E. V. Smalley is here with his German wife. She 
can scarcely talk English at all, having been in this 
country only four years. She is, of course, a second 
trial in a matrimonial way. Smalley is publishing the 
"North West." It is a St. Paul magazine, started 
originally, I think, to help advertise the lands of the 



TWILIGHT 259 

Northern Pacific road. He is also at the head, the 
editorial head, of a philanthropic institution which has 
its headquarters at Chicago, known as the "Sound 
Money League" or something of that sort. I may 
not have the name just right. It is maintained by 
charitable donations by those who are in a wholly 
benevolent and disinterested way devoted to the edu- 
cation of the people into the belief that the gold 
standard is the great promoter of general prosperity 
and civil liberty. We have also a Mr. and Mrs. 
Albaugh. He is a theater manager by profession, 
running, and, it is said, owning the best theater here 
as well as one in Baltimore. His wife is a sister of 
Maggie Mitchel, not a handsome woman, but very 
handy with her needle. Then there are here a man 
and wife, the woman seventy and the husband twenty- 
eight. He was a clerk in Buffalo, and she, a rich widow, 
and they have agreed on terms mutually advantageous 
to form the copartnership. Occasionally a Congress- 
man drops in on us, and, I think, some have engaged 
board for the season, though there is none here just 
now. We had also with us for some days, and he is 
still in the city, a member of the Republican National 
Committee from Florida. His business is to see that 
the Administration properly dispenses the government 
patronage in his state, and stays in Washington with 
his two wards for that purpose. This is the way 
political machines are made and kept running. Of 
course he pays his own expenses. We went yesterday 
to hear Talmage. His voice is harsh, as you perhaps 
remember, and his manner is anything but pleasant 
to me, nor is his thought at all attractive. I was dis- 
appointed, however, in his church. I had understood 
that there were only admissions by card, but we knew 



26o LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

no one to get cards from, and we thought that we 
would risk going without the supposed requirement. 
A very pleasant gentleman met us at the door, gave 
us a card for two good sittings, and apologized for the 
necessity of doing anything of the kind by the remark 
that there was always such a crowd there, and that it 
was only possible thus to accommodate with comfort 
and system those who came. At the close of the ser- 
vice, Dr. Sunderland and Dr. Talmage came down 
from the pulpit and stood for some time in front of the 
desk, shaking hands with all comers. They seemed to 
be very cordial in their greetings and to have some- 
thing pleasant to say to everyone. They moved 
towards the door, down the aisle, shaking hands and 
greeting those who were still in the pews, with an easy 
familiarity that showed they were, at least, on good 
terms with their congregation. I am not myself 
much of a hand-shaker, but I confess that the whole 
scene made on me a most agreeable impression. We 
were not in the throng before the desk, nor in the aisle 
along the line of march, nor did we care to be, but it 
was a pleasant thing to see in a modem church. 

You must keep up sending us good wholesome gossip 

such as is apt to furnish, and sweet Jew stories 

that Harris has such a peculiar faculty of picking up. 
Gossip and Jew stories are about all that is going now 
with any sort of interest in it. I am glad to hear of 
John's success at Princeton and of his satisfaction with 
the college and his work. It is too bad, about Phil. 
Allan had written that he had written to Phil to stop 
with him, when he came to Cambridge to the football 
game, and had had no answer. It seems that Phil 
had told Allan that he would come over to Cambridge 
on that occasion. Hence the invitation, and Allan 



TWILIGHT 261 

regrets the disappointment, and the regret will be the 
greater when he learns its cause. 

We are much interested in the library movement. 
How much do you think I ought to give ? I shall do 
something, of course, further on. It looks to me a 
good deal as if it was going to be more of a job to raise 
the money than I had anticipated, but it will doubt- 
less be all right in the end. Write to us as often as you 
can make it easy and convenient, as your letter will 
always have most appreciating readers. 

Very sincerely yours, 

Walter L. Campbell. 

Walter L. Campbell to Mr. J. H. McEwen. 

Washington, D. C, Jan. 25, 1898. 

Dear Harris: 

Your letter was welcome. It should have had more 
gossip in it, but I suppose that this shortcoming was 
not your fault. Why do not people do things to be 
talked about? If they only knew what a satisfaction 
it is to other people to dwell on their foibles, mistakes 
and peculiarities, they would be accommodating, and 
make displays of themselves mentally, morally, or 
socially or some other way, that would bring them 
into notice. I, we, I mean, were glad to hear of the 
Bentley boy. Why was it not in the "Vindicator"? 
Is he starting out too much of a Republican to honor 
that sheet with a notice of his arrival? I wonder if 
we ought to be glad after all, to have the knowledge 
forced on us in this way, that the race is going to con- 
tinue to possess the earth? It sometimes .seems as 
though it would be desirable to bring it to an end and 
make a fresh start from sea weed. This is not in- 



262 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

tended in the least to suggest that that ought to be the 
case with the Bentley branch or tribe, but only a gen- 
eral observation to be generally applied, with no ap- 
plication of any sort to any person or generation in 
particular. This is a terrific sort of a day. It has 
been sleeting some, raining more, hailing not a little, 
and snowing like smoke. Washington, for climate, 
takes the cake, a bad cake, a regular good for nothing, 
hotel cake, not one of Florence's. There have been 
very few tolerable days since we have been here. 
Helen is just getting over another attack of cold or 
grippe, after a three days' stay in bed. Mary was in 
Sunday, returning to her school again yesterday. She 
is pretty well, only pretty well, for her, but is, never- 
theless, distinguishing herself for her work in school. 
She was on a debate last week, and won many en- 
comiimis, but has not yet brought in her speech for us 
to read. She was opposed to Hawaiian annexation, 
and seems to be earnest in her opposition. 

I have not gone to the Capitol much, though I had 
intended to go up today, but it is so very bad that I 
concluded to stay at home, especially as Helen is not 
very well. 

Florence ought to be here to get into the society 
swim. Society, I say, for there is in it little or no 
sociability. You load yourself up with stacks of 
cards and call on almost anybody you please, say 
"How do you do?" and leave them a card and go. 
You have your day, and keep books in double entry 
of your debits and credits, strike your balance at the 
end of the season, cut off all who have not respected 
your card by giving you one or more in return, and 
prepare for doing the thing over again next season. 
One call is enough, as much as any one can stand. Oh, 




J. H. McEWEN 



TWILIGHT 263 

it is a delightful and soul-stirring business. If she 
were only here, she could see handsome residences, art 
displays which would charm her, flowers, lavish in 
decoration and ravishing to the sense. However, 
when you, retiring from banking, rent your house, take 
a year or two off and come here for a season, you and 
she will be able to appreciate what Washington life 
is. It is something beyond our dreams, the dreams of 
us who have always lived in the quiet precincts of such 
village life as Youngstown affords. It is too bad 
about Johnny McCurdy. We hope that his case will 
turn out as Harry Robinson's did, and that he will 
soon be well again. I saw Jimmy McNally here on 
Sunday and Monday and Judge Arrell, on Monday. 
The Judge [had] a very pleasant social visit with the 
President all day Sunday, even going to church with 
him. Mason Evans and his wife are here, but we 
have not seen them as yet. Love from all to you all. 

Walter. 

The three winters that Mr. and Mrs. Campbell 
spent in Washington they enjoyed to the fullest. 
After reading his morning paper Mr. Campbell 
usually went to the Capitol, where he had many 
friends already, and soon made many more. He 
became so well known that the employees were 
always ready to do anything that they could for 
him. He had friends in both parties, who made 
him welcome in their committee rooms, and ad- 
mitted him to many interesting things not open 
to the general public. At the celebrated "Roberts 



264 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

Case, " he was an habitual attendant. His Youngs- 
town friends were amused to read a Pittsburg 
paper's description of him as an interested auditor. 
At the conclusion of one session of Congress he 
said that he doubted if any member had had 
better record of attendance than he. 

In the late afternoon when there was nothing of 
special interest in the Senate (it was the sessions of 
the Senate that he most enjoyed), Mr. Campbell 
usually stopped at the Chess Club for an hour or 
so of play before he went home. He was very 
popular among the members. There, as in Youngs- 
town, he was one of the best players, and on one 
occasion he made something of a reputation by 
winning a game from Showalter, one of the profes- 
sional and champion chessplayers of the country. 
Occasionally he would be so much interested that 
he took no account of the time, and was late for 
dinner, and then his wife would worry and fear 
that he had met with an accident, a fear that he 
could never appreciate. 

During her third winter in Washington Mrs. 
Campbell gave a tea for twenty or thirty of her 
daughter's school-friends — the members of a so- 
ciety to which she belonged. Mr. Campbell, who 
was always interested in meeting his children's 
friends, came in and was soon the center of the 



TWILIGHT 265 

party. The girls, one after another as they left 
the dining room, gathered around his chair, listen- 
ing eagerly to all that he had to say. There he 
sat laughing and joking with them, and entertain- 
ing them with a charm all his own and in a way to 
delight their girlish hearts. What a happy after- 
noon it was! He bore off the honors of the day. 
His wife used to tell what followed with amuse- 
ment. At their next meeting the girls elected him 
to honorary membership in the society and she 
had given the party. 

In the summers, when his children's vacations 
came, the family was always together. 

In the summer of 1898 the family went first to 
Canfield, Ohio, to visit Mr. and Mrs. McMillan. 
While they were there Mr. McMillan died. His 
death was a great loss to the family as well as to 
the community. A short time before his friends 
in Youngstown had purchased a new building for 
the Public Library and named it in his honor. It 
was in Yoimgstown that the greatest part of his 
life work was done, and the tribute paid by his 
friends and former pupils was a great source of 
gratification to him. After Mr. McMillan's death, 
Mr. Campbell took his family to Spokane to visit 
his brother, "Mace," stopping at Salt Lake City, 
Omaha, and Youngstown on his return. 



266 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

This letter, written from Youngstown at the 
conclusion of the summer of 1899, tells its story. 
This was the first of three summers spent in Bay- 
ville, Maine. 

Walter L. Campbell to Mrs. J. H. McEwen 

Youngstown, Ohio, Sept. 30th, 1899. 

Mrs. J. H. McEwen, 

%, Lake Mohonk Mountain House, 
Mohonk Lake, Mohonk, N. Y. 
Dear Florence: 

We were greatly disappointed when we got here, and 
found that you and Harris were out of the city. As 
soon as I got my supper, the evening of our arrival, I 
started up to see you. I stopped in to see Tod Ford, 
and made a short call on him, and although something 
was said about you both, he did not tell me that you 
were gone, and I went on to the house and rang your 
bell, but got no answer, and then went on up to 
Robert's, and found that you were away, and from the 
account that I then received of your probable absence, 
I began to fear we should not see you before we left 
for Washington again. Your letter re-assured us, and 
you may be back, we think, a few days at least before 
we go. We were sorry indeed that you could not 
come up with us this simimer, although you need have 
no anxiety about your delay in answering our request 
to have you visit us, for it seems it is too far away 
for most anyone to come, and we might have invited 
the whole town, without getting a favorable response. 
The Jewetts were near us, and they could come up 
easily, and did so, and we had a very nice time, al- 



TWILIGHT 267 

though I wished they could have remained longer. 
They were with us about a week. It was a very quiet 
place, and I should think that it would suit you and 
Harris first rate. They are very quiet unassuming 
people up there, and you can get a cottage for almost 
nothing, and board for less, so you see it is quite an 
inducement to go there and live. There is a bay that 
is almost landlocked, that you can row on all the time, 
with no danger from the outside storms, and nothing 
from the inside undertow. We really had a very 
pleasant summer. Allan was on the water rowing 
most of the time, or walking to Booth Bay Harbor, 
about three miles away. For the first time in his life, 
he seemed to take with the girls, and there were a good 
many of them, very nice ones too. There were stu- 
dents from Tufts, and students from Radcliffe, stu- 
dents from Wellesley, students from Mt. Holyoke, 
and other institutions that I cannot think of now. 
You had better try to think of it, and get a cottage up 
there, and go for a couple of months next summer. I 
do not know whether we shall go back again or not, 
as there are other things in our case to be considered, 
but it is such a change, that I think it will likely do you 
and Harris both good. I do not know what Harris 
means by this constantly feeling under the weather. 
He ought to be old enough to get over such follies. 
He is a month older than I am, and I have no such 
weaknesses, and I think that he should be above it. 

We attended the installation, or at least I did, of 
the new preacher here Thursday night, and I heard 
some things that rather surprised me. The new 
preacher is from Canton, who was giving the charge 
to the congregation, and said that he wanted to tell 
them some things that they ought to do, and was doing 



268 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

it with a great deal of pleasure because he knew they 
would regard his charge in this respect from the knowl- 
edge of the past. He knew that the congregation 
would co-operate, as a person full of the spirit of the 
church and of the Apostles, in complying with every 
request that the Pastor made, to urge with enthusiasm 
everything that he wanted to do. This was a sur- 
prise to me. Thought there had been a great change 
back here in two years, but I found out that the 
preacher was from Canton, and did not know every- 
thing about the church that I did, but there seems to 
be a great deal of confidence that Mr. Hudnut is going 
to put some life into the church. All that I can say is, 
that if he can enter the spirit of activity into the dead 
bones that seem to be in the valley of this church he is 
a "corker" and perhaps he is. 

I think Helen is enjoying it here very much, seeing 
her old friends and is very well. Mary left alone from 
Boston last Saturday to go to Washington, or at least 
we expected that she would go alone, but she met at the 
depot a girl who had been in the school, and was going 
to Rockville, Md., which is beyond Washington, I 
think. Mary is very much improved in health, and 
we think that the bad days are over for her, so far as 
her health is concerned, although she is not a strong 
vigorous girl yet, and may perhaps never be. She is, 
however, much better. We appreciate your kind 
thoughts of Allan, your telegram on Class Day and 
your expression of good opinion of him in your last 
letter, and although I may not be an unprejudiced 
judge, I do think that you will not be disappointed in 
him, either in what he is now, or in what he may 
become. His health is first rate. He has been sick 
but one day in four years, the four years that he has 



TWILIGHT 269 

been in college, and is growing stronger physically 
every day, as well as mentally. He has done a good 
work, I think in college, and at the same time, not 
overtaxed himself, and had a good deal of satisfaction 
and pleasure that come from college life, outside of the 
mere class work. But we hope to see you before we 
leave, and can tell you some of these things better 
than write. 

Now we both hope that Harris will feel better, and 
permanently better soon, and that we shall see you 
both here in two or three weeks. Helen expects to go 
to Cuyahoga Falls and Cleveland to visit the Aliens 
and Mrs. Holloway, but has not decided yet exactly 
when she will leave. 

Love to Harris as well as yourself. 
Very Sincerely, 

Walter L. Campbell. 

In the summer of 1900 the Campbell family 
returned to Youngstown to live, although Mr. 
Campbell and his son spent a few weeks in Spo- 
kane. He was back in time to take some part in 
the presidential campaign of that year, again sup- 
porting Bryan. The question of imperialism was 
up, and in this he took a great interest. When 
Bryan was again defeated he was very much de- 
pressed, because he felt that a dangerous and 
un-American policy had been fastened upon the 
country. With the Spanish war he had little sym- 
pathy and with the policy of expansion, none. 
Decrying war, he often said that the time was 



270 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

coming when it would be regarded as just as dis- 
graceful for two nations to fight as for two men. 
These extracts from letters to his friend, Mr. 
Robert McCurdy, give his views on expansion : 

Washington, D. C, Nov. 21, 1898. 

Everything is jogging along with us without excite- 
ment or even interest. We read the papers daily and 
find only abuse of that American spirit which would 
not turn this nation into a pirate. This is neither 
edifying nor patriotic, but then I cannot help it and am 
becoming tired trying. If the people of this country 
want to make this republic tread the dark and bloody 
road which has made the history of mankind thus far 
but little more than one long wail, I suppose that they 
can do it, but I shall find it very hard trying to keep 
step. I am sure that it will be found a very expensive 
journe}^ even from the low commercial standpoint, 
costing much more than it will return, but it is not 
this that troubles me, we can afford to pay for a good 
thing, but no bribe should we listen to, which would 
buy the overthrow of the republic. However, if I 
keep on writing on this line, I shall get mad and fail to 
be interesting. 

Washington, D. C, Dec. 7, 1898. 

I think that you are right in believing that the Ex- 
pansionists will have everything their own way, and 
I am more sorry for it than I can tell. These foreign 
provinces, the idea of a republic having provinces, will 
only be resorts for the tools of the Platts and the Quays 
and the Hannas to plunder for money to carry on their 
schemes at home. I see that I have only mentioned 



TWILIGHT 271 

Republican bosses, but that is only a happen-so. If 
the Democrats should obtain the power, they would 
have bosses too, no doubt, to work for the same ends 
by the same means. I think that you are right in 
your judgment of the selfishness of Carnegie, but the 
arguments he uses are addressed to men as selfish 
as he, and are calculated to have more weight than 
reasoning on higher and more patriotic grounds. 
I am not yet prepared to say that it is all over and 
that we have them and must make the most of it. 
If we do have them today, that is, such rights in them 
as Spain had, it does not follow that we have any more, 
and if we are consistent Americans, we shall turn the 
ravished sovereignty back to their own people, and let 
them provide for themselves just such a government as 
they want. This we can and ought to do, out of regard 
to our own history and our own self respect. We can- 
not afford to buy from Spain or any one else the right to 
fight a people perpetually for that which they themselves 
have good title to, if this republic has any right to exist. 

Mr. Campbell expressed his views as well in 
these verses which appeared in various newspapers 
through the country: 

THE NEW AMERICA 

Our country, great and wide, 
Land of the soldier's pride, 

Thy praise we sound. 
We cheer thy mighty guns, 
Thy ships' resistless tons: 
Thy warlike glory runs 

The world around. 



272 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

Lands, by the sword made ours, 
Lands, where the savage cowers, 

These we must keep; 
Must keep their bays and ports. 
Their fields and fooHsh forts, 
Their tribes of nameless sorts, 

And riches reap. 

May drums and war's alarms 
Keep every man in arms 

For spoil to fight. 
May slaughter blaze our trail. 
May foemen shriek and wail. 
Deep graves their sure, sure jail, 

So prove our might. 

Our country's destiny. 
The God we'd have to be. 

Urge us thou on. 
May freemen fight in vain. 
By millions count their slain; 
Increase our great domain ! 

Our will be done. 

THE FLAG HAULED DOWN 

Someone has hauled Old Glory down — 
How fair on Freedom's heights it waved ! 

Has turned to shame its proud renown. 
And flaunts its folds o'er men enslaved. 

The flag which once for manhood stood, 
For liberty, and law and light — 

With stars bedimmed and stripes all blood. 
Proclaims the lie that might makes right. 



TWILIGHT 273 

Hauled down has been the ensign true, 
Dear banner of the free and just, 

Sullied its red and white and blue, 
Its mission marred, destroyed its trust. 

From freeing men to making slaves. 

From loftiest aims to conqueror's grown, 

From giving hope to filling graves — 
Someone has hauled Old Glory down. 

Where homes to ashes conquerors burn, 
And to the sword put sons and sires, 

There aliens by experience learn 

The faith our flag and arms inspires. 

This faith pays millions to a foe 
For impious pretext friends to kill, 

And in Christ's name contempt dare show 
For Christ's own gospel, peace, goodwill. 

Ten millions doomed to slaughter now. 
Beyond four hundred million more; 

Steam on, ships, with mighty prow, 
Triumphant ride wide seas of gore. 

Force open wide rich markets' gates. 
Fear not the threat of gathering clouds : 

To vassalage bring ancient states, 

And sell their people shirts or shrouds. 

The flag which bade the black man rise, 
Now leads the van to crush the brown. 

And tyrants see with glad surprise 

How far Old Glory's been hauled down. 



274 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

Americans, be valiant, brave! 

To freedom's cause your flag restore; 
For truth and justice make it wave 

Forever and forever more. 

To the argument so often made that it was the 
duty of this country to christianize the Filipinos 
Mr. Campbell used to reply sarcastically that the 
best way to do it was to tear up Bibles and wrap 
the pieces around the bullets to be shot into them. 
He even went to this extreme that he refused to 
attend the preaching of a man that upheld the 
doctrine of imperialism. 

When Mr. Campbell returned to Youngstown, 
in 1900, it was with the intention of selling all of his 
real estate there, and going back to Washington 
as soon as that was accomplished. He sold all 
but the house in which he lived, but this being a 
more expensive piece of property than the others 
was not so marketable. He thought that it was 
too good a house to rent, but finally decided to rent 
it anyway. The determining factor was very 
characteristic. His son, having been graduated 
from the Harvard Law School and taken into 
an office in New York, could not go home for 
Christmas, to the great disappointment of the 
whole family. The family had never been sep- 
arated on Christmas Day before, and his father 




WALTER L. CAMPBELL. 1895 



TWILIGHT 275 

did not let it happen again. Later in the winter 
he and his wife went to Washington, where they 
purchased a house which they re-modelled and 
into which they moved the following September. 
The spring of 1902 had been spent in Washington, 
as well and many houses had been looked at then. 
"Mrs. Campbell and Mary have looked at every 
house in Washington but one, and they are going 
to look at that tomorrow," Mr. Campbell would 
say. This was on their way to Cambridge for 
Commencement, where Allan was to give the ad- 
dress for the Law School. Mr. Campbell, who 
was a devoted father and extremely proud of his 
son, was never more so than on this Commence- 
ment Day. This is the account of it which he sent 
his sister. 

Walter L. Campbell to Mrs. S. S. McMillan 

Cambridge, Mass., June 25, 1902. 

Dear Susan: 

We have been long waiting for a letter from you 
and it at last came this morning. We had begun to 
fear that you were down sick again but your trip to 
Pittsburg explains the delay and makes us glad that 
you are getting well enough to leave home. We can- 
not understand why you should not have known the 
day of Commencement even after Mary had written 
you clearly and definitely about it. It came off on 
Wednesday the twenty-fifth and it was a great joy to 



276 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

us all, and we were all so sorry that you could not have 
been here to have seen and heard. We had all ex- 
pected much from Allan and he gave us even more 
than we had expected. He had such an audience as 
few men get in a life time. It was made up almost 
entirely of Harvard graduates past and present, emi- 
nent men of letters and those distinguished in politics 
and state affairs, the President of the United States 
and the Secretary of State, The Governor of Massa- 
chusetts and his Staff and the venerable Senator Hoar. 
There were many more of this station and character 
that made up the young man's interested auditors, 
nearly two thousand of them and from the beginning 
to the end of his speech they mingled their laughter 
and applause hearing distinctly every word that fell 
from his lips. We have been hearing ever since words 
of the most extravagant eulogy. For instance when 
Allan the next day was getting a card for me to the 
Phi Beta Kappa from Professor Gray who was its 
President for this year and a Professor in the Law 
School he said to him, "Allan, the President ought to 
do something pretty good for you." Allan of course 
considered it in the way of a kind of a joke but it 
showed his disposition to recognition of the effort. 
There has been very much of the same kind, though, 
perhaps, not so delicate. He had a letter yesterday 
from a Mr. Baldwin, Editor of the Green Bag, a law 
publication, offering him twenty-five dollars for his 
speech and inviting him to lunch with him on Monday 
evening at his club. As we shall leave for Bayville 
on that evening he will not be able to accept this in- 
vitation, but as the letter suggests that he would like 
to make some arrangements with him for future legal 
and literary work Allan is going to try to see him 



TWILIGHT 277 

today. I went with Allan on Thursday to call on 
Ames, Dean of the Law School, and he spoke incident- 
ally of Allan's record in the school. He said: "Now 
that he is graduated I can say to you that he has made 
great strides from his first to his third year; that, while 
in his first year he was in the honor rank he was rather 
low in it, but now he was very near the top if not al- 
together there." I suppose that I could write much 
more in this line, but this is enough to show you his 
standing and its recognition. I hope that Mace was 
with you long enough yesterday to tell you what he saw 
and how it struck him. It was very good in him to 
deny himself to the extent of loafing around this town 
for four or five days and to sit still for two or three 
hours and listen to boys' speeches. 

Affectionately j'-our brother, 

Walter. 

In the summer of 1903 the death of Mr. Camp- 
bell's older brother, Newton, occurred, and in the 
following spring that of his friend, Mr. Robert 
McCurdy. Both of these deaths he felt keenly. 

At Christmas, 1903, there was a reunion of the 
entire family at Washington. Mr. A. B. Campbell 
brought his family from Spokane, and Mrs. Mc- 
Millan came on from Youngstown. Some of them 
were guests in Mr. Campbell's household, and 
others were with his sister, Mrs. J. A. Campbell. 

The next summer Mr. Campbell and his im- 
mediate family went to Bay^ille again. It was the 
last summer in the lives of the parents and one of 



278 LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

their happiest. Just before its close the son had 
an attack of appendicitis. On his return to New 
York it was found that an operation was necessary. 
His father, who with his wife and daughter had 
gone to Ohio, was much worried. He was in 
Youngstown while the others were spending a few 
days in Cleveland. During their absence he had 
a stroke of apoplexy in a Youngstown bank. 
When he recovered consciousness he told the doc- 
tor who had been called in that he must keep the 
nature of his trouble a secret — the family had 
enough on their minds already. He refused to 
allow the doctor to go with him to his sister's 
where he was staying, though he was told that there 
was present danger of another stroke, a fatal one. 
He put aside his own illness altogether and his 
family believed that he had had only a very severe 
bilious attack. With his wife he went to New 
York to be there at the time of the operation. A 
week afterward he was to join his daughter in 
Washington, where she was to open the house and 
have things ready for her brother when he was 
able to go there for his convalescence. When she 
arrived, she found her father there and her mother 
with him. He had had a partial stroke of paraly- 
sis the day before, but had insisted upon carrying 
out his plan of meeting her. He would not allow 



TWILIGHT 279 

her to be there a minute alone, and was so de- 
termined to go that the doctor whom his wife 
consulted advised her to let him have his way. 
He was ill for some time, though he finally made 
an almost complete recovery. During his illness 
and the following months he received many letters 
from his old friends who had heard about it, and 
from some from whom he had not heard for a long 
time. Everyone seemed to want to do what he 
could to make the days brighter. On Christmas 
Day he received many messages from friends far 
and near. 

As Mr. Campbell grew better his wife, who had 
been ailing for some time, grew steadily worse. It 
was not until the holiday week that the true nature 
of her disease was known. On New Year's Day a 
specialist from New York was called in, and it was 
decided that her one hope of recovery lay in treat- 
ment that he could give her there. There was not 
much hope, but a little. Her husband was told 
as little of the seriousness of the trouble as possible, 
but he knew. There were to be more consulta- 
tions in New York, so the family, wishing to save 
him the worry that they would cause, suggested 
that he go to Youngstown and visit his sister until 
things in the New York apartment were in running 
order. On January 12th, his wife and daughter 



28o LIFE OF WALTER L. CAMPBELL 

took the morning train for New York, and he took 
one in the evening for Youngstown. 

Soon after his arrival there he had an attack of 
grippe, from which he recovered. On the early 
morning of the twenty-fifth of January he had 
another stroke of apoplexy, and died in a few hours. 
On the preceding day he and his sister had had 
luncheon with Mrs. Robert McCurdy. On his 
return he was writing a letter to his wife, when he 
was interrupted by Mr. McEwen, who spent the 
evening with him. Together they read a letter to 
Mr. Campbell just received from their friend, Tod 
Ford. He was apparently as well as usual. A 
few hours later his friend was simimoned to be with 
him at the end. His heartbroken wife wished to 
go to Youngstown for the funeral, and, as her con- 
dition was believed to be hopeless, she was allowed 
to do so. 

The services were conducted by Dr. Daniel H. 
Evans, who had been pastor of the First Presby- 
terian Church in Youngstown for over thirty years. 
A great affection had existed between Mr. Camp- 
bell and himself. At a time when there had been 
a division in the church, Mr. Campbell had 
been one of his most loyal supporters. Then, when 
it was thought that Dr. Evans would go away 
from Youngstown, Mr. Campbell told him that he 



TWILIGHT 281 

had always hoped that he would say the last words 
over him. This he promised to do if it were pos- 
sible. In his address he compared him with Enoch, 
the one really good man mentioned in the Bible up 
to his day, the man that stood apart from all others. 
Toward the end he said that this life confirmed us 
in our belief in immortality because such a life 
could not be snuffed out. He accompanied the 
party to Salem, where a second brief service was 
held in the Presbyterian Church there, and the 
man so universally loved was laid to rest near his 
mother in the place that he had chosen. 

A few weeks later his devoted wife was laid be- 
side him. Neither life would have been complete 
without the other, and they were not to be apart 
long. On this day Dr. Evans spoke again, this 
time from the words: "They were lovely and 
pleasant in their lives and in their death they were 
not divided." 



APPENDIX 

DEATH OF DR. A. D. LORD 

On the seventh of March last, died at Batavia, N.Y., 
one of the best friends and wisest promoters of popular 
education that this country has yet produced, Dr. 
A. D. Lord. The personal recollections that throng 
the mind, as memory summons to the present the reced- 
ing, though not forgotten past, the feelings of gratitude 
that clamor for utterance at the instruction he gave, 
the example he set and the high aspirations he would 
have inspired, come once more vividly to the mind, 
and the thousand associations belonging to better 
days which gather for the writer around his name, 
must not be recounted in the public ear ; but a history 
of his work forms a part, and a very large part, of the 
history of the development of the educational interests 
of Ohio, and of this it is of our province to speak. 

In May, 1856, Dr. Lord was called from his con- 
nection with the public schools, where the work he was 
doing and the reputation he was winning as an edu- 
cator were state and even national, to take charge of 
the Ohio Institution for the Blind. There was in this 
change nothing alluring to a mind moved by the 
ordinary considerations of ambition. It was passing 
from the service of many, and a wide sphere of useful- 

283 



284 APPENDIX 

ness to the service of a special, and that a very small 
class and a narrow sphere of labor. He, however, for 
the remaining nineteen years of his life, twelve in Ohio 
and seven in New York, devoted himself with earnest- 
ness, wisdom and enthusiasm to improving the char- 
acter of the education given to the blind. 

He came to this field of usefulness, not with these 
sentiments of fruitless philanthropy which had made 
these institutions for the blind, both in this and the old 
country, asylimis for refuge instead of schools for 
instruction, but with as warm and as sympathetic 
a heart as ever beat, and what was much more, in its 
ability to confer a practical benefit, a large experience 
as an educator. He began a revolution in the edu- 
cation of the blind destined to be pushed forward 
with the impulse he has given it, which substitutes in 
the work of these institutions, practical good for 
sentimental gush, a useful knowledge for ignorance 
thinly veiled with sham. 

It would not be possible in the short limits of a 
newspaper article to do justice to the work and life 
of Dr. Lord, but from what has already been said 
some slight appreciation of what Ohio owed to him 
as a practical teacher and theoretic educator can be 
formed. The labor of the last nineteen years of his 
life have lifted the gloom from many a dark mind 
and illuminated many a dark path. — Register and 
Tribune, March 31, 1875. 

DEATH OF A GREAT LAWYER 

Among the Associated Press dispatches of Monday 
was one which briefly announced the death of ex- 
Governor Emory Washburn, at his residence in Cam- 



APPENDIX 285 

bridge, Massachusetts, on Sunday the i8th inst., 
in the seventy-eighth year of his age. Brief as was 
the announcement thousands of young men all over 
this land read it and laid their paper down to reflect 
upon a noble life which had been closed, upon the 
character of a good man, if there ever was one, who 
had finished his work. 

The encyclopedias and biographical dictionaries 
tell us something of him and suggest his industry 
and perseverance. Emory Washburn was bom in 
Leicester, Mass., February 14th, 1800. He was 
graduated at Williams College at the early age of 
seventeen, and choosing law for a profession was 
admitted to the bar upon reaching his majority, 
immediately entering upon its practice in his native 
village. Seven years later, in 1828, he opened his 
office in Worcester, where he remained until his 
election to the gubernatorial office in 1854, which he 
held for only one term. From 1844 to 1847 he was 
Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Worcester 
County, an honor which he resigned and returned 
to active practice. 

The only other public office he ever held was the one 
to which he was elected last fall when he was over 
seventy-six years of age and most men would have 
felt like retiring from the harassments of public 
employment. At the earnest solicitation of the 
people, not only of his own constituency, but of the 
State at large, he accepted a seat in the lower House 
of the Massachusetts Legislature. 

Creditable and highly honorable as was his public 
service, it is not that of which we care to speak espe- 
cially. He was an eminent and conspicuously a pains- 
taking writer upon the law. His works upon real 



286 APPENDIX 

property and upon easements and servitudes are 
invaluable contributions to the stock of legal knowl- 
edge, displaying as they do the most exhaustive inves- 
tigation and most careful research. Besides these 
works upon which his reputation with posterity must 
mainly rest, the literature of the law is indebted to 
him for a large number of volumes of less pretension, 
and very many essays of a historical character relat- 
ing to the development of American law and the 
growth of our judicial system, if, indeed, it may now 
be called a system at all. 

It is not, however, Governor Washburn, the officer, 
nor yet the Honorable Emory Washburn, LL.D., the 
writer, of whom we would write here. There have 
been more famous governors though there was never 
one more honest. There have been more brilliant 
writers but never one more conscientious, faithful 
or industriously devoted to ascertaining the truth. 
It is Professor Washburn, the teacher and the friend, 
whose precious memory we would gladly do some- 
thing to perpetuate. 

He stepped from the Governor's chair of his native 
State into a Professorship in Harvard Law School. 
From 1855 to 1876 he delivered his lectures upon 
various branches of the law to class after class of stu- 
dents and endeavored by precept and example, with 
how much earnestness only those who met and knew 
him can appreciate, the priceless value of character in 
the profession which they were to follow. There was in 
his sight hardly a being more despicable, more deserv- 
ing the loathing and contempt of the community 
than a dishonest, tricky or rascally lawyer. If a law- 
yer had not honor, integrity, character, he was some- 
thing worse than a scandal to a noble profession, he 



APPENDIX 287 

was a curse to society. He had plenty of clients 
and an abundance of work, but his prosperity had not 
been purchased by tarnishing his name or offending 
his conscience. Through a successful professional 
career of a half a century he passed, and his active 
brain never conceived a low trick, though it had 
circumvented many, and never employed a disgraceful 
device to cheat justice of its own, and accordingly he 
warned young men to shun so-called sharp practice 
as they valued professional advancement and an 
honorable reputation. 

The writer remembers well a valedictory Professor 
Washburn delivered to a graduating class now eight 
years ago. He was not easy of speech, had not a 
ready command of language. He often stumbled for 
words. His sentences were often involved and awk- 
wardly constructed. On the occasion alluded to, he 
spoke entirely extempore and told the young men of 
the trials and difficulties they would have to encounter, 
and of the temptations that would meet them in the 
way. As he approached the close of his address, the 
heart of the honorable and revered old man seemed 
to go out in a flood of sympathy towards those with 
whom he was about to part. It was an exhortation 
to a pure life by a pure man, a call by a loving and 
beloved teacher to the practice of every virtue. 
No one thought of the stammering utterance, awkward 
phrases, bungling expressions or involved sentences. 
It was the heart, large, sincere and honest, that was 
speaking, and there came from his lips the most per- 
fect exhibition of genuine eloquence we have ever 
heard, whether in court room or pulpit, or Senate or 
rostnun. There was not one but felt the innate 
greatness of the goodness of the man, and it was this 



288 APPENDIX 

his noble character that, more than his official career 
and more than his books, will endear him to those 
whose good fortune it was to sit under his instruction. 
We might write much more in memory of a man 
whose friendship it was our happiness to enjoy, but 
much of what we might say would be interesting only 
to lawyers, and we therefore, though reluctantly, 
close. Professor Washburn was not a brilliant genius 
to whom success and fam.e came easily, but was one 
who achieved his large measure of fame and honor 
by incessant labor and unremitting industry. He 
knew no rest from the beginning of his professional 
life to the day of his death, and he lays down his life 
with many and many a monument to his capacity for 
work in the libraries of the country, and above all he 
goes hence home respected, revered and loved as 
have been few men in any walk of life. — Register and 
Tribune, March 22, 1877. 

DEATH OF EX-GOVERNOR CAMPBELL 

It is hard, too hard, to write the story of a life which 
the eye of memory views in the fadeless colors of 
gratitude and affection. You cannot congeal the 
warm sentiments of the soul into the icy forms of 
speech. A brother, and a more than brother, goes 
before to the eternal scenes of activity and usefulness, 
and the heart would put on record an enduring and 
fitting testimonial to his matchless unselfish love 
and his altogether paternal care and watchful guidance, 
but every sentence comes cold, weighted with the 
miserable formalism of speech. It is well enough, 
nay, it is better so. There are debts for which no 
coin has been minted. He who imbues a forming 



APPENDIX 289 

mind with the love of truth, the desire for knowledge 
and a steadfastness in maintaining conscientious 
convictions at an earthly cost, is a creditor who can- 
not be paid. The debt remains forever a perpetual 
obligation to compel obedience to the instructions, 
under the penalties of base ingratitude. So the great 
heart has ceased to beat, and words of chiding, of 
sympathy, of inspiration come rushing into the 
memory telling in every syllable and in every letter, 
how true a man he was, how kind, how self-denying, 
how devotedly brotherly. 

John A. Campbell was born in Salem, Columbiana 
County, this State, October the 8th, 1835, and was, 
therefore, at the time of his death in the forty-fifth 
year of his age. He was the fifth son and the sixth 
child of a family of ten children bom to John and 
Rebecca P. Campbell. His father died when he was 
but a little more than nine years of age, and he was 
soon compelled, with the older children to assist an 
energetic mother in maintaining and keeping the 
family together. 

While yet hardly more than a child he entered 
a printing office to learn the trade of a compositor. 
He began his apprenticeship in Salem in the office of 
the Homestead Journal, and finished it under W. D. 
Morgan, who was at that time editor and proprietor 
of the Ohio Patriot. This was his schoolroom then 
and afterwards, and though it, by no means, afforded a 
systematic training of the mind, it gave him the ele- 
ments of an irregular education, which a course of 
diligent reading did much to repair and make practi- 
cally useful. His memory was wonderful in the 
readiness with which it acquired and the tenacity 
with which it retained. Nothing once there was 



290 APPENDIX 

allowed to escape, and this, which for so long seemed 
his strength, was the first to break when the hour of 
reckoning for overwork came. 

He worked at his trade in Cleveland and Columbus, 
but after two or three years was induced to go West, and 
was engaged on a paper in Council Bluffs, Iowa, where 
he added writing for the paper to his duties as foreman. 

Omaha was about that time taking its first taste of 
greatness, and some Ohio parties had started a bank 
there, tendering the printer, who had picked up some 
knowledge of business with other things, the cashier- 
ship. He accepted, but soon found that he had made 
a mistake, as the bank was not organized for a 
pressure and soon suspended. 

He next went to Leavenworth, while Kansas was 
smarting under border ruffian atrocities and slavery 
usurpations. While yet not far in his teens, he had 
adopted the teachings of Daniel Webster as compre- 
hending the sum of all political wisdom, but his Kansas 
experience greatly weakened his faith in the potency 
of compromise with slavery as a means of maintaining 
and continuing the Union. He was in St. Louis 
when the debate between Douglas and Lincoln was 
going on in 1858, and heard at least one of these now 
memorable encounters. It was this experience and 
these discussions that led him to call after the re- 
treating rebels at Shiloh (Genera 1 Boynton we think 
printed the anecdote), to know what they would take 
for their interest in the territories now. 

Shortly before the war broke out he returned in 
poor health to Ohio, and at the first call for volunteers 
responded in Salem, enlisting in the Nineteenth 
Regiment O. V. I. He was immediately elected and 
commissioned Second Lieutenant, his first com- 



APPENDIX 291 

mission being dated April 19th, 1861, less than a 
week after the firing upon Sumter. He served with 
this regiment through the term of enlistment, three 
months, participating with it in the West Virginia 
campaign which ended with the victory at Rich 
Mountain. He then obtained a commission as First 
Lieutenant in the First Ohio, A. McD. McCook, 
Colonel. McCook was promoted to a Brigadier- 
General before the regiment took the field, for the 
three years' service, and when they were at Green 
River, Kentucky, he called Lieutenant Campbell to 
act as ordnance officer on his staff. 

After Shiloh, Dan McCook, the General's brother, 
accepted the Colonelcy of the Fifty-second Ohio, 
and resigned his staff position as Assistant Adjutant 
General, and Lieutenant Campbell was at once 
promoted to the vacancy. After Perry ville, he was 
promoted to a Majority, and remained as General 
McCook's Adjutant General until after Stone River, 
when he was assigned to duty on Geiieral Schofield's 
Staff, and with him remained until the close of the war, 
for a short time at St. Louis, but afterwards in the 
terrible campaign, crowded with battles from Knox- 
ville to Atlanta, and back with Thomas through the 
bloody battle of Franklin, and the end of the war in 
Tennessee with the defeat of Hood at Nashville. 
With General Schofield's corps, having won his star, 
he went to North Carolina and saw there the final 
collapse of the Confederacy. 

Upon being mustered out of the service a year or 
two later, he came to Ohio, and was for a time news 
editor of the Cleveland Leader. He left this position 
for a business venture in Columbus, which did not 
result prosperously and he sold out. 



292 APPENDIX 

General Schofield was about this time appointed 
military Governor of the Division of Virginia and 
General Campbell was very glad to return to his staff 
duties when the opportunity was given him. Much 
of the civil branch of the administration of the depart- 
ment was entrusted to him, and this ended his military 
life. In reports of the different Generals, under 
whom he served, after the successive engagements, he 
was mentioned for distinguished recognition, and in 
the order mustering him out of the service. General 
Ruger recounts his services and warmly compliments 
his energy, efficiency and soldierly conduct. 

He remained with General Schofield while he was 
at the head of the War Department, but immediately 
upon the inauguration of General Grant he was 
tendered the office of Governor of Wyoming Territory, 
which had just then been created but not yet organ- 
ized by establishment over it of a government. He 
arrived at Cheyenne, which he made the capital 
of the Territory by proclamation, in May, 1869. The 
work before him was a difficult one. Society was 
chaotic, lawlessness was rampant, and no authority 
respected. The courts were at once opened, an 
election called the Legislature convened, and order 
was in an inconceivably short time established. He 
remained there exercising the Gubernatorial office 
for about six years, and left a Territory which he 
found almost anarchical and without a dollar in the 
treasury, perfectly tranquil, with the laws respected, a 
full treasury without a dollar of indebtedness. 

It was during his first year as Governor that he 
signed the bill conferring the elective franchise upon 
women. It may have been a great advance move- 
ment, and it may have been a blunder inconceivably 



APPENDIX 293 

great; but, whichever it is, it is right that the exact 
truth should be stated. The Legislature which passed 
the act was unanimously Democratic. There was 
no intention whatever of making the innovation. 
It was thought by the managers of the scheme that 
the young Republican Governor might be embarrassed 
by being confronted with a measure of this kind in an 
early period of his administration, and, however it 
might affect him, the novelty of the thing would 
make some fun and advertise the Territory. So the 
bill was put through without much opposition and 
presented to him for his signature. He was not 
inclined to treat the matter in any sense as a joke. 
Whatever may have been the purpose of the Legis- 
lature in passing it, it was before him for his official 
act. He could sign it, or he could veto it, or he could 
keep it five days, when without any action on his part 
it would become a law. The last course he regarded 
as cowardly and felt himself obliged to choose between 
the other two. He took the position that the question 
of the propriety of giving the suffrage to women was a 
two-sided one, that some of the best men in the coun- 
try strongly favored it and that while he might not 
himself be perfectly clear that it was the right thing to 
do, he could not on the other hand justify himself to 
himself and to the country for refusing his signature 
to the bill. He signed it, in other words, not because 
he was fully persuaded that it was right, but because 
he could not thoroughly persuade himself that it was 
wrong. Besides it was a new, thinly populated terri- 
tory, and he thought that the experiment could be 
more advantageously tried there than almost any 
other place. Two years later, in a veto message 
which was much commended for its strength, he 



294 APPENDIX 

prevented the repeal of the law to which he had 
originally given his signature with so much trepi- 
dation. 

Early in 1875 he was tendered the position of third 
assistant Secretary of State and after examining into 
the duties of the office, he was pleased with the promise 
it offered and he accepted it. It was for him a new 
line of labor, but he soon learned to enjoy it. He had 
the friendship, personal and official, of Secretary Fish 
in a very high degree as well as his confidence and he 
regarded that great man with a warmth of affection 
which only those can appreciate who knew his likes 
and dislikes. The office, which suited him so well, 
he was not destined long to enjoy. His health began 
to fail perceptibly early in 1877, though long before 
that time there can now be recalled indications of the 
threatened breakdown. He thought that rest would 
restore and went to the seaside, but it did no good. 
He consulted physicians, but their prescriptions were 
unavailing. He thought that a change of climate and 
a less laborious office might bring relief, and resigning 
his position in the State Department went as Consul 
to Basle. It was a wearisome, profitless search 
for health, the lamp of life had burned out and in all 
the wide world there could be found no help. He 
came home a little less than two years ago, to die. 
Slowly the end drew nearer and nearer and peacefully 
came, yesterday morning, and the trials, the triumphs 
and the ambitions of earth are over. He has done well 
his part and there is no place for tears. He was loved 
as few men have ever been, and when his public 
acts shall have been forgotten, his name will be held 
blessed in many a household for pure friendship's 
sake. — Register and Tribune, July 15, 1880. 



APPENDIX 295 

Following is a tribute to the late Hon. Walter L. 
Campbell from the pen of C. P. Wilson, who knew 
him intimately : 

Pitiless as the winter's icy blast do the sudden 
tidings come — that Walter L. Campbell died this 
morning — he whose world was night, but whose life 
was light — to write of his death there comes a pang 
with each recorded word. 

Apparently he might have been permitted to ac- 
complish the full measure of the threescore years 
and ten, as each of their fast flying days would tell 
its own sweet story of the ever increasing happiness 
of those who came in touch with the charm of his life 
and personality. 

But it has been otherwise decreed. 

The magic of his touch has sounded anthems; his 
genius grasped the problems of humanity, and his 
intense human love still sheds on family and unnum- 
bered friends the warmth of noon. 

He was always so free from every form of ostentation 
and of so simple tastes and pure ambition that his 
unobtrusive life led few to realize what a magnificent 
character he stood upon the sky line of his generation. 

Superbly gifted by nature, accident robbed him of a 
priceless faculty, but his wealth of will and deter- 
mination more than made good the loss. 

Through school curriculums, through the fields of 
journalism, law and literature, and the realms of 
philosophy he moved a monarch. In practical life 
he has both given and received the blows of combat. 
He has won and worn the political laurels that adorn 
success, and he has tasted often of disappointment's 
bitter cup. 



296 APPENDIX 

His business ventures have rewarded his untiring 
efforts in good, full measure, but his life has been no 
stranger to the stresses of adversity. Throughout his 
career, his was a matchless courage always, that led 
where conscience guided. 

Walter L. Campbell was an absolutely honest man. 
Honest with himself; honest in opinions and belief, 
honest in counsel; honest in business; honest in every 
thing. "Honesty is the oak around which all other 
virtues cling. " To family and friends he was oak and 
vine and flower. Loyal to truth, his words were ever 
the image of his thought. 

In all the wide ranges of human sentiment, thought, 
or emotions, no note was ever sounded that did not 
wake a vibrant chord within his soul. His versatility 
was the wonder of all. He despised money except 
for the comforts that it buys. He loved music as a 
child loves flowers, and among the masters of it felt 
and was at home. Of a cheerful nature, his compan- 
ionship was an inspiration. All who knew him 
believed in him. All who knew him, and all who knew 
of him, mourn his loss. He was generous, lovable, 
loving and divine. 

EXTRACTS FROM A LETTER FROM MR. WILLIAM H. 
BALDWIN TO MRS. WALTER L. CAMPBELL: 

Ever since I left you on Wednesday you have been 
on my mind, and the sorrow I truly feel about losing 
Walter has been coupled with a feeling that I may 
have seemed to you to care less than I really do. 

Only Mrs. Baldwin's helpless and lonesome con- 
dition here kept me from going on with you, as I should 
have been anxious to had not duty held me here. It 



APPENDIX 297 

was all so sudden, and I seemed so helpless when there 
was such need of help; and to be away, too, when I 
knew the rest of his friends were there to pay their 
respects to the loved one has been doubly hard. I 
keep thinking of it, and wishing I could talk to you 
about him. 

It is nearly thirty-eight years since I first met him. 
It was at Hudson, where I heard him deliver the Latin 
salutatory, and where I looked up to him with the 
admiration which his peculiar ability added to the 
graduating rank commanded. 

The admiration has never ceased, and I am thankful 
that the years soon brought another feeling of affection- 
ate regard and love. It has been a privilege to me to 
know him and his life has been helpful to me. 

He was so honest, so true, so manly, so clear-headed , 
so kindly that I came to appreciate his friendship 
more than I can tell you. It is true that perhaps 
I did not show all I felt about this, but you know that 
for years I was loaded up with many cares and with 
duties, or what seemed to be such, beyond my strength. 

So when you also decided to make Washington your 
home I was especially pleased, and looked forward 
to many years of delightful and helpful companionship 
there with him. There were so many things to take 
my attention last winter that it did not seem as if I 
saw anything like as much of him as I wanted to, but 
I counted on this winter, expecting to get back early. 

It will seem lonesome there without him, as it will 
anywhere to you. I do sympathize with you, and it 
was so hard not to be with him when you had watched 
over him so tenderly for so many years; but you 
have the conviction that it was for his own comfort 
that you let him leave you, that it was right and 



298 APPENDIX 

best to do so when he seemed so well, and that he 
would say you had done right. 

There is the comfort of his noble life, with all its 
struggles so earnestly carried on. You were such a 
blessing to him, and his children — always. It was 
only in dwelling on his memory since his death that I 
realized that I have never thought of him as blind, 
for his other characteristics were so brave and strong 
one forgot that. It seemed heartless not to have 
remembered this, now that the eyes see and the 
long night of affliction is past; but even that I 
think he would not have wished otherwise, nor 
wanted me to be affected by such a consciousness 
in our associations. 

ANOTHER TRIBUTE 

Walter Campbell, of Youngstown — I first met 
him in the old days when all the world was young, 
away back in 1878 — at "Commencement Week" 
down at Hudson, Ohio — old "Western Reserve," 
long since moved to Cleveland, married, and changed 
its name to "Adelbert," I think. He caught me 
with the charm that made all men love his friendship. 
He was genuinely fond of people; sincerely he liked 
his "kind"; because he saw with his soul he quickly 
found what was good in a new acquaintance. Just 
as accurately he saw what was faulty, but he didn't 
advertise it. If the friendship continued, he strove 
in a way most tactful and unobtrusive, to amend the 
fault. But I never knew him to do this with a 
scourge. His gentleness made him a most efficient 
monitor. 

Earnest and purposeful he was — very earnest. 



APPENDIX 299 

And all this was emphasized by the natural quality 
of his humor, which rippled though his talk, like the 
murmur of a brook on its way to the mill race. It 
is going to turn the big wheel, and set all the activities 
of the mill in clattering and orderly operation — going 
to make it hum with useful purpose — going to fulfill 
its own appointed destiny, which was to turn the big 
wheel. But just the same it sang and laughed on its 
way to work, and began to laugh and sing again, as 
soon as the run through the race ended in the clutch 
at the wheel and the starting of the work. How could 
I help liking such a man? His comradeship was so 
hearty, his friendship so genuine, his manhood so 
true. Our friendship lasted with his life, and will be 
renewed in the land where friendship is eternal. 

Robert J. Burdette 
"Sunnycrest" 
Pasadena, California. 
August, 1913. 

The following sketch of the life of Mr. Campbell was 
written by Miss Florence S. Tuckerman, and printed 
in the Ray en Record, the paper of the Rayen School, 
which was the high school in Youngstown. 

Walter Campbell 

Born in Salem, 1842, grandson of a minister; father- 
less in a somewhat straitened environment at three ; 
blind at five; seven years a student at the Institution 
for the Blind in Columbus; a teacher in Salem at 
seventeen; five months at a musical school in Phila- 
delphia; abandoning music, an honor graduate of 



300 APPENDIX 

Western Reserve University in Hudson at twenty- 
five; graduate of Harvard Law School at twenty-six; 
practicing law in Cheyenne, Wyoming, where he was 
also United States Commissioner until the following 
year, associate editor of the Youngstown Register 
until forty, when he became mayor of our city; filling 
many useful offices after retiring in private life, Mr. 
Walter Campbell served his generation as few men of 
his time. His death occurred at the home of his sister, 
Mrs. McMillan, Wednesday morning, January twenty- 
fifth. 

Mr. Campbell was a remarkable man. Blindness 
did not blight his life. Cut off from the petty interests 
that distract most boys, he was early brought to 
distinguish the great things from the little, the wise 
from the foolish, the permanent from the transient. 
Music, the universal language of the heart, he loved, 
but it did not satisfy his intellectual nature. Few 
boys with eyes and hands could have gone through 
college so young, taking every study then in the 
curriculum with honor. 

He was a friend of the Rayen School. He visited 
it occasionally, inquired about it frequently, and 
always supported the teachers. He rejoiced in our 
high standards and was proud to have our graduates 
take honors in other institutions. His own son 
finished the severest classical course here at fifteen. 

Great as Mr. Campbell was as a scholar, effective 
as a writer, as a speaker, and in public service, he was 
to me more remarkable in his social relations. He 
was thrown early into the friendship of the wise. 
He traveled widely and met everywhere a host of 
unusual people: statesmen in Washington, scholars in 
Boston gave to him their best. To meet one-tenth 



APPENDIX 301 

of the distinguished men he knew, would give most 
people life-time memories, but to talk with them as 
Mr. Campbell talked, to quote poetry, to discuss 
philosophy, to listen to the secret projects of individual 
or state would give experiences worthy of Boswell to 
record. And with all these opportunities Mr. Campbell 
was unspoiled. Without self-seeking, stone-throwing, 
or ennui, he remained fearless, independent, confirmed 
in high ideals, as simple in his affections as he was 
broad in his acquaintanceships, as true to his old 
friends as he was delighted with vigorous minds, 
everywhere liked and always kind. 




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